Ballina school fire: damage exceeds $100,000
Police are appealing for public assistance following a fire at a school in Ballina overnight.
About 2.50am today (Tuesday 26 January 2010), officers attached to Richmond Local Area Command were attending a motor vehicle collision when they saw smoke and flames coming from buildings at a school in Horizon West Drive.
Police contacted Fire Brigade units and attempted to extinguish the blaze, which was located in the toilet and cleaning storage room block of the facility.
The area was extensively damaged by the fire, causing damage in excess of $100,000.
A crime scene was established and investigations into the cause of the blaze are under way by NSW Police and Fire Brigade officers.
Anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the incident is asked to contact Ballina Detectives on 6681 8627 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
In particular, investigators would like to speak with the driver and passengers of an old white sedan, late 1980s model, possibly a Toyota, with maroon or dark pin strikes down the sides, which was seen in the vicinity of the school shortly before the blaze.
Two male teenagers and two female teenagers were travelling in the car.
Information can be provided to investigators in the strictest confidence.
