Mystery person saved school

Press, 24 January 1986, Page 1

Mystery person saved school

A mystery person saved five rooms at a Christchurch school from destruction by fire on Wednesday evening. A person called the Fire Service after seeing a glow in Opawa about 11 p.m. The caller lived some distance away but by looking at the flashing lights on the engines, was able to direct firemen by telephone to the blaze. As a result, only one room at the Rudolf Steiner School, in Ombersley Terrace, was damaged. Four other rooms nearby were untouched. The fire had been deliberately lit, said the Christchurch police yes--terday. The school’s bursar, Dr David Mollet, said he was extremely grateful to the mystery caller and would like to find out who it was.

"We would like to thank the person for their intelligence,” he said. “By the time the firemen arrived the room’s windows had cracked. If they had blown the whole place would have gone up.” The fire is believed to have been started by young persons who broke a window to gain entry and then set fire to some papers. Damage to the classroom was moderate, said Dr Mollet It was insured and staff hoped to have it repaired by the time school reopened.