Four teenagers have been charged over a fire that caused $2.5 million damage at a South Kempsey school earlier this year.
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Emergency services attended a high school on Nicholson St about 9pm on Thursday, January 29.
The school’s Learning Support Unit – consisting of two large classrooms and a staff room – was well alight.
The fire was also threatening adjoining buildings.
Fire & Rescue NSW crews extinguished the blaze; however, the Learning Support Unit, which catered for students with special needs, was completely destroyed.
The damage caused by the fire has been valued at more than $2.5 million.
Strike Force Tooradin was formed to investigate the fire, and following extensive investigations by the State Crime Command’s Property Crime Squad and officers from Mid North Coast Local Area Command, four teenagers were arrested on Wednesday.
They were all taken to Kempsey Police Station, where two 14-year-old boys were charged with enter enclosed land without lawful excuse, face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, aggravated break and enter with intent – in company, and destroy property in company – use fire.
A third 14-year-old boy was charged with the same offences, and was also charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.
They were granted conditional bail to appear before a Children’s Court on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.
The fourth teenage boy, aged 15, was released and later issued with a Future Court Attendance Notice for damage property by fire, break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence, face blackened/disguised with intent to commit indictable offence and entering enclosed land. He is due to appear at Kempsey Local Court on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
