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Fire has destroyed a sports shed and equipment at Warkworth Primary School.
The fire, early on Monday 27 April, also extensively damaged toilets, storage sheds and the pool changing rooms in the same building. Firefighters arrived just in time to stop it spreading to the adjoining administration block.
Warkworth senior station officer Devan Flewellyn says flames were licking the admin building when they arrived.
“If we had been there five minutes later we would have had a real battle on our hands.”
They were called at 1.20am responding with four engines from Warkworth, Mahurangi and Matakana. Neighbours reported being woken to loud bangs. It took the 18 firefighters an hour to extinguish the fire and they stayed until 4.30am dampening it down. The cause of the fire is unknown and being investigated by the NZ Fire Service and Police.
After a fire investigation and a Ministry of Education sub-contractor assessment to secure the site, including fencing off the area, the school was allowed to open today. They will liaise with insurance assessors this week for the next steps, including replacing the equipment and then deciding if the building will be demolished or rebuilt.
Principal Cynthia Holden says they have been overwhelmed by support from the community to lend sports equipment so they can practice and attend upcoming sports tournaments.
“The collective effort reinforces we are a community of learners and in times of need we work to support each other.”
Teaching and training sports equipment was completely destroyed in the fire including netball, soccer, rugby, rippa rugby, rugby league, hockey, cricket, softball, tennis, badminton and athletics equipment.
There was damage to recreational equipment, including skipping ropes and balls, and equipment used for the Year One Perceptual Motor Programme and the Cool Kids before and after school programme.
The school community was informed about the fire on Monday via the website and an email newsletter letting them know the school was open on Tuesday. The students were told in assembly today what had happened and the next steps and also asked by the Principal to be adaptable, flexible, and resilient.
“The priority is to help the children feel secure so they can carry on with minimal disruption,” she says.
“It is also a good chance to accept change and manage it the best we can because it builds character.”
