School steps up security after fire

The charred remains of the Northcote Intermediate classroom. Picture / Richard Robinson

A fence and security cameras will be installed at Northcote Intermediate school following a suspicious fire which destroyed a classroom early yesterday morning.

The blaze, which started just before 4am, is the latest in a string of attacks on the school this year.

Principal Rose Neal said taggers had been vandalising the school on an almost weekly basis, but it is not known if the same people are responsible for the fire.

Fire Safety Officer Russell Dickson said the school's burglar alarm was activated about 3.30am. About 25 minutes later neighbours noticed smoke coming from a classroom block and called 111.

"When the Fire Service arrived the fire was well involved and was starting to spread [to the next classroom]."

Mr Dickson said firefighters managed to contain the blaze but the classroom was destroyed.

A neighbouring classroom suffered water and fire damage. Another two rooms were damaged and were yesterday without power and water.

Mr Dickson said the fire was being treated as suspicious and ESR staff had collected samples which would be tested to see if an accelerant had been used.

Ms Neal said staff and students were devastated by the blaze, which also destroyed computers, desks, books and teaching resources.

She said the board of trustees had been considering boosting security for some time. There had been extra security patrols, and a fence and security cameras would now be installed in an attempt to deter people from entering the school at night.

Detective Sergeant Kim Libby, of the Takapuna CIB, said a man was seen in the area at the time the fire was started. He was described as Caucasian, about 170cm tall, with sandy coloured hair. He was wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and light coloured trackpants.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the man or witnessed anything suspicious. Anyone with information can call the Takapuna CIB on (09) 488-6281.