Arson suspected in school fire

FIRE destroyed three Silkstone State School buildings  after a suspected arson attack on the school yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to the school about 2.30pm after nearby residents reported seeing black smoke billowing from the school.

The fire spread quickly and the buildings were well alight when Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) officers arrived.

A 60m by 30m two-storey timber classroom, believed to be 127 years old, was the largest building destroyed in the blaze.

The building was due for renovation and was only vacated by year one and two students, who moved into demountable buildings, earlier last week.

QFRS Ipswich station officer Phil Paff said more than 30 firefighters battled the blaze, which investigators suspect was deliberately lit.

“QFRS fire investigation officers were on site with Queensland police to investigate the cause of the fire,” Mr Paff said.

“Six appliances were called to the scene, plus some additional units including a scientific unit, who did atmospheric testing to check if the amount of smoke would be a danger for nearby residents.
“The fire was under control by about 4.15pm.”

Firefighters stayed on scene well into the night to ensure the fire would not restart.

Prospect Street resident Lyle Brown told police he saw a blue 1980s model Suzuki four-wheel-drive speed off from outside the school minutes before he saw the smoke.

“It’s usually a very quiet street, so I was a bit surprised when I saw the car really fly off,” Mr Brown said.

“I went back inside my house and only a few seconds later I saw smoke coming from one of the buildings and heard alarms.

“Just the timing of the car speeding off just before the fire took hold seemed extremely suspicious to me.”

Police had to move hundreds of people who arrived to watch the inferno out of the bordering Molloy and Prospect streets and set up road blocks.

Anyone with information about the fire should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.