Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Two teens charged over Qld school fires

Police have charged two teenage boys with lighting two fires at a Rockhampton school.

August 29, 2018

Two teenage boys have been charged after fires destroyed a Rockhampton school’s art centre and new cooling system.

The boys, 14 and 16, were charged with arson and wilful damage related offences following overnight fires at the South Rockhampton High School in Wandal.

Police and firefighters were alerted to the blazes at 2.30am on Wednesday after security spotted two people fleeing the scene.

Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Peachey says the fires caused significant structural and smoke damage to the school’s art block and a nearby construction site.

“This is very concerning that two young people, most likely two young people who attend this address, have caused this significant damage and disruption to the education of our young people,” he told reporters.

“I know we’ve previously had a school in Biloela that was burnt down by juveniles as well.”

Det Snr Sgt Peachey said an accelerant was used to start a fire outside block D, where about 20 air-conditioning units awaiting installation were destroyed.

A second fire was then started in the foyer of the arts block after the offenders smashed their way into the building.

“They’ve set alight what we believe were mannequins and that’s caused quite significant structural damage as well as smoke damage,” he said.

“I don’t believe that building will be up and running anytime soon.”

The fire was extinguished about 3am.

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