Two teens charged with arson after blaze at Hamilton high school

Two teenagers have been charged with arson after a fire at Melville High School in Hamilton this week.

The early Wednesday blaze gutted two classrooms and caused smoke damage in six others.

Detective Senior Sergeant Russell Le Prou said two 15-year-olds were charged with burglary and two counts of arson.

Mr Le Prou said police were pleased to resolve the matter and were motivated by the reaction of the community, teachers and pupils at the school. "You could clearly see the devastation and feelings of those within the community," he said.

Information from the public had been key in the arrests.

He said a ceiling collapsed on two firemen attending the blaze, with one requiring hospital treatment. He was treated and released.

"This matter has been treated like a homicide inquiry, with the realisation the fire had caused a lot of damage in the monetary sense, but also endangered the lives of the firemen."

- NZPA