Fault sparks blaze
LIBRARY SPARED AS FIRE DAMAGES COLLEGE OFFICE
A FIRE that tore through Geelong Christian College’s senior campus is no longer being treated as suspicious.
Authorities confirmed yesterday the fire was believed to have been started by an electrical fault.
Firefighters were called to the Pigdons Rd, Waurn Ponds, campus soon before 10pm on Tuesday to find the school’s reception and administration building well alight
Firefighters from Belmont, Geelong City, Grovedale and Highton worked for more than two hours to extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading to the library.
Geelong City duty officer Mark Sinkinson said the fire had caused significant damage to the school’s administration building and reception area.
Firefighters pulled books from the library — but much of the damage to that building is believed to have been caused by smoke.
“The fire was contained to the administration area and crews did a really good job to save the library,” Mr Sinkinson said.
Christian College principal Glen McKeeman said staff and students at the senior school had been advised not to attend school yesterday.
Mr McKeeman thanked emergency services for containing the fire.
“We are grateful for the prayers of our community and the work of our chap- lains who will be readily available to provide support for any students, families or staff who may require it,” he said.
Neighbour Stuart Cuthill saw the blaze.
“I saw a number of fire trucks going past and then saw the smoke coming out of the building,” Mr Cuthill said.
“We lost power at about 10-11pm when they cut the service.”
Power was restored a few hours later and an advice message, issued to residents, was lifted.
Geelong CIU detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said arson chemists and fire investigators had determined the fire was not suspicious.
Fire investigators have taken over the probe.