School fire deliberately lit - police

Fairfield Intermediate on Clarkin Road, Hamilton. Photo / Christine Cornege

A fire which gutted the technology centre of a Hamilton intermediate school last night was deliberately lit, police say.

Emergency services were called to Fairfield Intermediate School about 6.45pm after neighbours called the Fire Service.

The blaze gutted the school's two-storey technology centre, where it was believed to have begun.

Two storerooms and another classroom were also badly water-damaged from burst pipes.

A team of 36 firefighters and eight fire appliances was needed to stop the blaze from spreading further through the school.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of the Hamilton CIB today confirmed police were looking to track down whoever started the fire.

It was too early to comment on what caused the blaze, but it did not appear an accelerant was used, he said.

He appealed for anyone with information on the case to contact Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200.

- NZHERALD STAFF