Blaze starts in bin
A SUSPICIOUS fire that gutted a Norlane school’s canteen and partially damaged a gym is believed to have started in a wheelie bin.
Classes were cancelled yesterday at Northern Bay College’s Peacock Campus after a fire broke out soon before 5am.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said investigators had deemed the fire suspicious and spent much of the day at the site.
Sen-Sgt Guthrie said the fire had spread from the wheelie bin to the canteen.
Firefighters were called to the school at 4.55am to find one building well alight.
Operations officer Pat Geary said more than 20 firefighters from Corio and Geelong City fought and mopped up the fire for more than two hours.
Mr Geary said firefighters managed to largely contain the fire to the canteen and stopped it extensively damaging an adjoining gym.
Initial estimates suggest the fire caused about $100,000 damage.
Principal Fred Clarke said classes did not go ahead at the Peacock Campus yester- day with students instead shuttled by bus to one of the school’s other campuses.
“The fire was quickly contained with extensive damage to the canteen and smoke damage to the gymnasium and the adjoining building,” Mr Clarke said.
“As a safety requirement all attending students were bussed to our Tallis campus where they had a very enjoyable day.
“School will resume on Monday for all students.”
Sen-Sgt Guthrie said anyone who had seen suspicious activity in the area should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.