New South Wales police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a second childcare centre in Sydney, after two fires struck the same chain in four days.
Police alleged more than one person was responsible for a Monday morning fire at the Play to Learn centre childcare centre in Castle Hill in Sydney’s north-west.
Det Supt Naomi Moore said the suspects forced entry into the rear of the centre and started a fire.
The fire caused minor damage to the building, after the sprinkler systems had extinguished the blaze “fairly quickly”, Moore said.
Emergency services were alerted at about 1.30am to reports of the fire.
It comes after an earlier suspicious fire at a Play to Learn childcare centre in Turramurra, on Sydney’s upper north shore, on Friday.
Police said the arson squad would take over both investigations because of “potential links”, Moore said.
Moore said the Castle Hill centre would remain closed for a few hours while police conducted investigations.
“It’s very concerning. There’s no doubt about that.
“That’s a residential street, and it troubles us a lot.”
Play to Learn has operated for 19 years and runs three centres in NSW.
Play to Learn operators said their CCTV system captured the entirety of both incidents.
The founder, Jade Luci, said both centres’ fire safety protocols had ensured minimal damage was suffered.
“I am heartbroken to learn of another senseless attack on our new Castle Hill centre at 1:30am, but gravely relieved that no one was harmed,” she said.
“Our fire systems activated even before emergency services arrived, doing exactly what they were designed to do.
“I want to reassure every family that there are no internal concerns, no staff issues, and no grievances at Play to Learn. Our team is strong, united, and deeply committed to the wellbeing of our children.
“We will reopen soon, stronger, safer, and more determined than ever.”
