Firefighters are battling a large blaze at an intermediate school in Hawera this morning. Central Fire Service spokeswoman Jan Wills said 11 crews were called to the fire at Hawera Intermediate School, on South Rd, just before 6am. She said the fire was "well involved" in a two-storey block when the crews arrived. The building houses eight classrooms. Courtesy: Ilona Hanne/Stratford Press
Firefighters were battling a large blaze at an intermediate school in Hawera this morning.
Central Fire Service spokeswoman Jan Wills said 11 crews were called to the fire at Hawera Intermediate School, on South Rd, just before 6am.
She said the fire was "well involved" in a two-storey block whenthe crews arrived.
The building houses eight classrooms.
"All we know is it was well involved on arrival and all manpower is being utilised. Everybody on the scene is currently doing something.
"I spend heaps of time there normally, now all our books are gone."
Aroha Kingi was almost in tears as she watches the building burn.
"My kids went here, they are at high school now. I just cant believe it. All the kids work, their art, their writing, poor kids. It had better not be arson. How could someone do this, destroy our kids place?"
Desmond Teawhe-Campbell, 7, and his brother Iosia, 6, were hanging out on the firemans pole in the playground after coming to see the fire with their father Desmond Campbell.
"It's awful, the flames were massive early on," he said.
A witness said the fire started in the library which is now completely destroyed.
Hawera Intermediate principal Craig Simpson said "a good cry in Manaia" helped as he made the drive from his home in Opunake this morning after hearing the news of the fire.
By the time he arrived, the blaze was still raging and staff and community members were already onsite.
The school had probably lost three-quarters of its buildings including classrooms, the library and the hall, he said.
"Thank goodness the admin block is OK," Mr Simpson said.
Board chair Mark Crawshaw said the school community was devastated by the fire.
He and Mr Simpson were both heartened by the immediate outpouring of support from the community, including the offering of temporary classrooms from other schools.
The school hopes to have students back in lessons by the end of this week.
The next step would be meeting with the Ministry of Education buildings team today to see how it can help.
A Ministry of Education trauma team would also talk with the school on how it could support staff and students.
The Fire Service was still working to make the school safe, Hawera Police Senior Sergeant Kyle Davie said.
Police would launch an investigation once the fire was completely out, he said.
"Police is currently keeping a cordon at the scene and once the fire has been put out and the area made safe, we will begin our investigation into what may have occurred. Until then we cannot comment," he said.
