Police suspect students behind fire

POLICE suspect students are responsible for the burning down of a Brandi Secondary School building in East Sepik yesterday morning.
The 2am fire razed the building comprising a science laboratory, practical skills and staff rooms.
East Sepik police commander Supt Albert Beli said: “I am concerned because the grade 10 students will be sitting for their Written Expression National Examination.
“We suspect students are responsible for the arson.
“Detectives are conducting investigations and some members of the Wewak Police Task Force and Lae Mobile Squad have set up camp at the school.
“However, classes continue.”
Beli said police were still investigating to determine cause and motive for the fire.
“It is an old building so it was razed within minutes. I met the students and teachers this morning in the school hall,” he said.
“I have urged them to treasure and look after the school facilities.
“The facilities facilitate their education to become future leaders of this country.”
Beli said a classroom was also destroyed in a fire last year before he took over as the police commander.
“I don’t know the progress of that investigation but I am going to make sure that someone is held responsibility for today’s incident,” he added.