Canterbury police and fire investigators are examining whether the large fire at Bridge Hill may have been inadvertently started by school students camping nearby.

The fire, which began last Thursday, burned through nearly 1,000 hectares of land, leaving significant damage in its wake.

Chris Lynch Media understands the principal of Rudolf Steiner School addressed the incident during a staff meeting today.

He confirmed to staff that fire investigators had determined “a fire had been started by students. It was a small mistake by some kids.”

The matter was now being handled by the school’s insurers.

It is understood the students involved “violated school policies” by leaving the camp without permission.

Sources told Chris Lynch Media that several Year 10 students left their camp in the middle of the night, walked about a kilometre, lit a fire, and attempted to extinguish it by urinating on it.

A police spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com that “police and FENZ fire investigators are working collaboratively to ascertain how the fire may have been started and whether any persons may have been responsible.

Police are conducting enquiries that include speaking to a number of individuals and groups in the area prior to the fire, including school groups” the spokesperson said.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, saying, “Fire and Emergency’s investigators and police are conducting a joint investigation into this fire.

Until it’s complete, we won’t be commenting further.”

Earlier, Rudolf Steiner School Principal Paul Kennedy told chrislynchmedia.com “as you will appreciate, it will be for FENZ to determine the cause of the fire, and it is not appropriate for us to speculate.

We are focusing on supporting our students and staff who were obviously affected by the evacuation process, and our thoughts are with the hardworking firefighters.”

In a statement on Monday night Kennedy said “to my knowledge the Police and FEMZ have not yet determined the cause of the fire. It is not appropriate for us to speculate until the investigation has been completed.”

 

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