WA Police
Camera IconWA Police Credit: Supplied/WA Police

Atwell College fire: police to view CCTV and doorknock homes to find answers

Bryce LuffCockburn Gazette

POLICE are set to doorknock homes near Atwell College after a fire caused $1 million damage to the school’s resource centre overnight.

Firefighters were called to the school about 2.40am this morning and had the blaze controlled after about an hour.

Police have no suspects at this stage, but Detective Senior Constable Mark Pollock said it did appear the offenders had forced entry into the building.

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“The investigation at the scene is continuing and part of that is to determine what damage was caused during the fire, before the fire and after the fire,” he said.

“I can’t say (how long it will take).”

Det Snr Const Pollock said police were reviewing CCTV footage from the school.

“We then extend the investigation into the surrounding area,” he said.

“We’ll be conducting doorknocks shortly to establish any CCTV in the surrounding area and likewise any witnesses.”

Atwell College principal Noel Woodley said the school had been able to operate as normal.

“We’ve been able to reschedule classes that were originally time-tabled for the resource centre,” he said.

“The Education Department has been very supportive in as much as we were due to receive some demountable classrooms early next term and they are trying to expedite that to ensure we have more classrooms available.”

He said assessors had been on site and an engineer’s report was due tomorrow morning.

“There’s been a lot of support from the community and from people connected in education so everyone’s very supportive and interested in the college,” he said.

“Staff and students are a bit shocked but are in a good frame of mind and know that it could have been a lot worse.

“We’re very thankful it’s only one section of the college.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.