HIKURANGI - A faulty heater thermostat has been blamed for the fire which destroyed two classrooms at Hukerenui School early yesterday.
Hikurangi volunteer firefighters used swimming pool water to fight the blaze, which started about 2 am.
The fire was brought under control after about 20 minutes.
School principal Peter Lightbody said everything inside the two classrooms was destroyed.
The six-teacher, 160-pupil school would be closed today, but it was hoped it would reopen on Monday, he said.
"They'll have to be demolished and rebuilt," he said of the classrooms.
Mr Lightbody praised the local fire brigades for saving the classrooms on either side.
On Monday, the two classes affected by the loss of their classrooms would be accommodated in the nearby Hukerenui Playcentre building and a utility room at the school, he said.
The school was also bringing in counsellors next week to help teachers with the children.
The school was fully insured and Mr Lightbody said the classrooms would be replaced.
"It could have been worse. That's the way we're looking at it now."
Fire at Hukerenui School due to faulty heater
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.