A second childcare centre in Sydney has been engulfed in fire, shortly after a previous incident at another location. Emergency services responded to the Play and Learn centre on Excelsior Avenue in Castle Hill around 1.30 am on Monday, where a fire was reported. Fortunately, the blaze was contained quickly, resulting in only minor damage, with no injuries reported.
The New South Wales Police have initiated an investigation, establishing a crime scene as they look into the circumstances of this fire. Detectives are particularly interested in any potential links to a fire at the Turramurra Play and Learn centre, which occurred just days earlier. On Friday, fire crews were called to the Turramurra site at approximately 4.25 am, arriving to find substantial flames consuming the building. Although the fire was extinguished, it too left only minor damage.
Reports indicate that a group of masked individuals forcefully entered the Turramurra centre, doused the foyer in petrol, and set it ablaze. This incident has unsettled the local community, with Jemma Quinlan, head of operations at Play to Learn, expressing her shock and sorrow, stating, “At the crux of it, we’re here to serve the community and today we can’t.”
Concerns among parents have also been raised, as Princi Chauhel voiced feelings of fear over the recent events. The Turramurra childcare centre remains closed as police continue their investigations.
This alarming trend of attacks on childcare facilities is raising significant concerns in the community, as authorities work to uncover the motives behind these incidents and ensure the safety of such vital community services.