Image: Photo: NSW Fire and Rescue Source: Wikimedia Commons
A suspicious fire at a Turramurra childcare centre has left staff and parents reeling. NSW police are hunting for answers after masked intruders allegedly broke in and set the building alight.
Emergency crews were called to Play to Learn Turramurra at 4:25am on Friday after reports of flames at the Pacific Highway site.
Fire and Rescue NSW arrived shortly after to find the ground floor foyer and parts of the building’s exterior charred. The centre’s sprinkler system had contained most of the fire before they arrived, according to 9News.
No injuries were reported, and the attack caused only minor damage, mostly due to smoke and water.
NSW Police probe motive behind suspected arson
Police have established a crime scene, declaring the incident suspicious after signs of forced entry were discovered.
CCTV footage reportedly shows a group of masked men smashing through the front door, pouring petrol and igniting it before fleeing.
Detectives spent Friday combing the site for evidence, recovering a melted jerry can and a car headrest believed to have been used to smash the glass door.
“The cause of the fire is under investigation, and we’re working closely with NSW Police today to establish how this occurred,” said Fire and Rescue acting superintendent Mat Sigmund.
“We’re here for our community,” says owner shocked by fire
The Northern Sydney location, open for less than a year, is part of Play to Learn’s network of childcare centres across NSW.
Jemma Quinlan, head of operations, said staff were shocked and devastated by the attack.
“It’s horrific—we’re here to serve the community, for our families and children,” Quinlan told Today.
“We’ve been operating for 19 years on the Central Coast and have an amazing reputation. This has never happened before—so we’re absolutely dumbfounded and shocked.”
Quinlan said she first became aware of the incident after she was woken by a flurry of phone calls in the early hours.
“The work phone was ringing off the hook around 4.30am, which is obviously extremely strange,” she said. “In my gut, I was just like—something wasn’t right.”
When she checked the centre’s security feed, she saw flames tearing through the premises.
“It was a massive shock—I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Quinlan said. “I called back the numbers that had been ringing me, and it was the police.”
Investigators are continuing their inquiries, with forensic teams expected to remain on-site in the coming days.
Police are urging anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity in the area to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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