Girl, 13, arrested following suspicious fire at Northern Bay College Hendy St campus in Corio, Geelong

Molly Magennis
7NEWS
The damage is extensive to several classes which were torched just after midnight.

A young teenage girl has been arrested over a suspicious fire at a school near Geelong, Victoria overnight.

Several classrooms at the Hendy St, Corio campus of Northern Bay College were extensively damaged in a blaze that started about 12.15am on Tuesday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: 13-year-old girl arrested after alleged arson attack at a Corio primary school

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

About 40 firefighters were needed to control the fire, which also damaged the school’s administrative building.

A 13-year-old girl from Bell Post Hill was arrested and taken into custody.

She has since been interviewed and released pending further investigations.

In a statement, the school’s principal Scott Diamond said its Prep to Year 2 classrooms had been damaged.

He said initial investigations suggested the school had been the target of an arson attack.

“On the advice of emergency services, the Department of Education has confirmed that our Hendy St campus will remain closed on Tuesday,” Diamond said.

“No on-site supervision will be available and I ask that you keep your child or young person at home today.

“We will provide more information when it becomes available, particularly regarding arrangements for the rest of the week.”

Extensive damage has been done to several classrooms and the campus’ administrative building.
Extensive damage has been done to several classrooms and the campus’ administrative building. Credit: 7NEWS
The school will be closed on Tuesday as police investigate the suspicious blaze.
The school will be closed on Tuesday as police investigate the suspicious blaze. Credit: 7NEWS

One parent of a child at the school told Sunrise they were “disgusted” by the alleged arson attack.

“(My child) literally woke up to hear the news and balled her eyes out because she loves school. Not many kids love school.”

Anyone who witnessed the fire or has any information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published on 7NEWS

Latest Edition

The front page of The Nightly for 07-10-2024

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 7 October 20247 October 2024

Christopher Dore on how the Prime Minister could have marked October 7.