SCHOOL ON FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 954, 23 April 1930, Page 12

SCHOOL ON FIRE

DAMAGE TO NEWTON EAST BUILDING SUSPICIONS AROUSED An outbreak ot fire occurred at the old Newton East School in Belgium Street, shortly before 5 o’clock yesterday, but only slight damage was •lone to one side of the building. Suspicious circumstances are said to surround the outbreak. The building is very old, and ha 3 not been used as a primary school for the past four years. The fire started on the outside of the’ eastern nail near the ground, the flames being noticed by a passer-by in Symonds Street, who broke a fire-alarm box. The City Brigade put the fire under \ ery quickly, though the flames burned through the weather-boarding near the ground and travelled up between the outside wall and the lining. It tlid not spread outward, but continued to the roof, and a small portion of the wall was burned through to the inside. That it was unlikely that the fire had started accidentally was the opinion of Mr. \V. L. Wilson, superintendent of the Fire Brigade. The seat of the outbreak was near a door built in a recess in the outside wall. The flames had started in a pile of rubbish and paper beneath, and beside a step leading to the door. It was significant that the fire had started on the outside of the building, and that it should have broken out when rain was falling. One part of the building is used as a model country school, and is attached to the Normal School at Epsom. Another portion is used by a class for children defective in hearing and speech. Since the school was closed for ordinary primary education purposes several cases of wilful damage to the property have been reported to the Auckland Education Board. Special precautions have had to be taken and as a result of damage to outbuildings, these have had to be locked up.