Suspicious Fire At Kerikeri High School

Police are treating an overnight fire at Kerikeri High School as suspicious.

The Fire Service were alerted to the blaze at around 4.20 AM this morning, after the fire had spread into a Science Block at the School and triggered an alarm.

The fire has completely destroyed one class room and seriously damaged several others.

Police are also investigating earlier reports of rubbish bin fires at the Skate Park on Cobham Road, Kerikeri. This is only a short distance from the High School and is believed to be connected.

Police are following several good lines of inquiry and are hopeful that the new surveillance system recently installed by the School will yield results.

Detective Sergeant Rhys JOHNSTON of the Kerikeri Police said, "The fire at the Science Block appears to have been started outside the classroom, underneath wooden benches. The high winds last night would have caused the fire to spread quickly. It may very well be that those responsible hadn’t intended for it to go this far."

"I'm confident that someone within our community will know who is responsible for this School fire. Often in circumstances like these word gets back to the School or to the Police within a few days. I would like to encourage people to come forward with information, either through the School, the Kerikeri Police Station or through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111."

ENDS

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