Hunt for arsonists | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Police are treating a fire at Rotorua Lakes High School on the first day of the new school term as suspicious and want help from members of the public to identify those responsible.

Emergency services were called to the school at 10.05pm on Monday to find the school's science block "well alight".

Detective Sergeant John Wilson of the Rotorua Police said quick action taken by the caretaker and the Rotorua Fire Service prevented the remainder of the building being damaged.

School caretaker Colin Clarke was first on the scene after hearing the alarms.

Rotorua Fire Service senior station officer Richard Anastasi said it was lucky the fire was discovered early "or there could have been more damage".

He said a couple of fire trucks arrived at the school to find a "well involved" blaze which had potential to escalate. Back-up was called in from the Rotorua fire station and the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Rotorua fire safety officer Stuart Bootten said while smoke alarms in the science block alerted them of the fire, a sprinkler system could have done a lot more to reduce the amount of damage.

Mr Bootten showed The Daily Post around the burnt-out science block on Tuesday and said the difference between the fire-damaged hall and the relatively-unscathed classrooms was that the doors to the rooms were closed.

The blaze left the school's science block with extensive damage to the ceiling area  and considerable smoke damage to two rooms which were in the process of being renovated.

"It's a senseless act on school property," Mr Bootten said.

The school was closed yesterday, just one day after the new term had begun. Staff were shocked and angry the fire ruined $1 million worth of renovations only a week before completion. The renovations included a new specialist physics and chemistry lab.

Principal Bruce Walker said it was very upsetting.

"I feel shock and anger, all those negative emotions. To me it's just a waste. It's a waste of taxpayers' money."

He said students would now be unable to use specialist science classrooms and equipment to prepare for their NCEA exams in about 10 weeks.

He thought a pile of rubbish in the entranceway to the block may have been set alight, although fire safety officers were still investigating the cause.

The school had received overwhelming support from other schools and the community following the fire.

The school reopened yesterday.

Anyone with any knowledge about who may have set the fire is urged to contact Rotorua Police on 07 348 0099.