KEY POINTS:
Rangeview Intermediate School says West Auckland has an arson problem after three of its classrooms went up in flames yesterday.
The blaze, which was reported about 9.30am and caused between $350,000 and $500,000 worth of damage, was the third at the school, which is in Edmonton Rd, Henderson. Only one of the classrooms may be salvageable.
Rangeview board of trustees chairman Derek van Beynen said Freyberg Community School was also attacked recently. "We have got a serious problem in this area. It's terrible. We're just lucky no one was at the school - often teachers are in at the weekend."
While the buildings were insured, it was the inconvenience of rebuilding that rankled, Mr van Beynen said.
The school would be open as usual today although about 90 of 930 students would be in temporary classes. Some of the pressure would be relieved by students being away at a school camp.
About 20 firefighters battled the blaze at its height. Henderson police and fire safety officers are investigating.
