Unexplained blaze wreaks havoc at high school
The temporarily structures, which were donated by Barberton Mines were used while the school was being renovated. Barberton police spokesman detective Tutu Nkosi said a case of arson was being investigated.
Teachers and pupils from Emjindini Senior Secondary School arrived on Friday morning to find part of the school burned down. Four makeshift classrooms and a storeroom filled with textbooks were completely gutted by a blaze which started just before midnight on Thursday. So far the cause of the fire is unknown.
According to the school principal, Amos Matsebula, he had to rush to the school after having received a phone call informing him that part of the school building was on fire.
“When I arrived at the premises, I found that the buildings were already engulfed in huge flames. The fire brigade from the Umjindi Local Municipality assisted us in trying to extinguish the fire but to no avail since the classrooms were wooden structures,” said Matsebula.
They were not being used full time but as alternative classrooms at the time. The temporarily structures, which were donated by Barberton Mines were used while the school was being renovated. The incident will, however, not affect teaching and learning in the school.
Barberton police spokesman detective Tutu Nkosi said a case of arson was being investigated.
“The case has since been referred to our forensic fire expert unit to determine its cause. No foul play is suspected as only the investigation can identify its cause,” said Nkosi.
Spokesman for the Mpumalanga Department of Education, Jasper Zwane said they were still waiting for an official report from the school to assess the damage.
“We also request anyone who might have information that could lead to discovering the caused of the blaze to either contact the police or liaise with the school management,” said Zwane.
