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Police investigate ‘suspicious’ second fire at Sydney childcare centre chain in four days Police investigate ‘suspicious’ second fire at Sydney childcare centre chain in four days
(about 2 hours later)
The fire at the Play to Learn centre in Castle Hill caused minor damage and police are looking into whether it is linked to a blaze in Turramurra last weekThe fire at the Play to Learn centre in Castle Hill caused minor damage and police are looking into whether it is linked to a blaze in Turramurra last week
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New South Wales police are investigating a suspicious fire at a second Sydney childcare centre, after another facility in the same chain caught fire three days ago. New South Wales police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a second childcare centre in Sydney, after two fires struck the same chain in four days.
Police said they are investigating whether the two incidents – both at Play to Learn centres in Sydney – are linked. Police alleged more than one person was responsible for a an Monday morning fire at the Play to Learn centre childcare centre in Castle Hill – in Sydney’s north west.
Emergency services were alerted at about 1.30am on Monday to reports of a fire at Play to Learn in Castle Hill, in Sydney’s north-west, police said. Det Supt Naomi Moore said the suspects forced entry into the rear of the centre and started a fire.
The fire caused minor damage to the building. The fire caused minor damage to the building, after the sprinkler systems had extinguished the blaze “fairly quickly”, Moore said.
Emergency services were alerted at about 1.30am to reports of the fire.
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“The fire is being treated as suspicious and detectives are investigating whether the incident is linked to a fire in Turramurra last week,” police said. It comes after an earlier suspicious fire at a Play to Learn childcare centre in Turramurra, in Sydney’s upper north-shore, on Friday.
The Play to Learn centre in Turramurra – in Sydney’s upper north shore – caught fire on Friday. Police said the arson squad would take over both investigations because of “potential links,” Moore said
Police have established a crime scene around the Castle Hill centre and are investigating the causes of both incidents. Moore said the Castle Hill centre would remain closed for a few hours while police conducted investigations.
“It’s very concerning. There’s no doubt about that.
“That’s a residential street, and it troubles us a lot.”.”
Play to Learn has operated for 19 years and runs three centres in NSW.Play to Learn has operated for 19 years and runs three centres in NSW.
Operators of the Turramurra centre said their CCTV system captured the entirety of the incident and they would work closely with police on the investigation. Play to Learn operators said their CCTV system captured the entirety of both incidents.
The Play to Lean founder and director, Jade Luci, said the Turramurra centre’s fire safety protocols had ensured there was minimal damage to the building.
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“We are heartbroken by this senseless act, but our commitment to safety and quality care remains stronger than ever,” Luci said. The founder, Jade Luci, said both centre’s fire safety protocols had ensured minimal damage was suffered.
“Our fire safety and surveillance systems worked exactly as they should. “I am heartbroken to learn of another senseless attack on our new Castle Hill centre at 1:30am, but gravely relieved that no one was harmed,” she said.
“We have no concerns about safety when our families return, and we look forward to welcoming them back to a centre that remains as safe, nurturing and connected as ever.” “Our fire systems activated even before emergency services arrived, doing exactly what they were designed to do.
More to come. “I want to reassure every family that there are no internal concerns, no staff issues, and no grievances at Play to Learn. Our team is strong, united, and deeply committed to the wellbeing of our children.
“We will reopen soon, stronger, safer, and more determined than ever.”