Suspicious fires raise concerns about vandals

Waikiki community members fear anti-social behaviour has flared up again after two suspicious fires were deliberately lit in the area.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services officers were called to Fantasy Park and Charthouse Primary School in the early hours of last Wednesday morning after residents in the area, surrounding the Waikiki Community and Family Centre, reported hearing loud explosions and seeing flames.

Vandals caused up to $20,000 damage to the park’s playground equipment and about $8000 damage to the school, torching a cubby house and tables.

Waikiki Community and Family Centre co-ordinator Vanessa Clarke said she felt lucky the vandals did not damage the centre.

“It makes me feel very worried and sad about what is going to happen next, I just think it is disgusting that somebody could do that to a children’s playground,” she said.

Mrs Clarke said fires and anti-social behaviour were prevalent at Fantasy Park a few years ago but had died off in recent times.

“There used to be a liberty swing here for children in wheelchairs and they had to take that away because they had to keep repairing and replacing it from the fire,” she said.

“There have been a few things like cars being broken into and a bit of egging on the place recently but prior to the last couple of months it has all been quiet for the past couple of years.”

Charthouse Primary School principal Heather Stephens said classrooms had suffered smoke damage.

“A massive cleanup was required, the ceilings and walls needed to be cleaned and the smoke has caused damage to the air-conditioning system,” she said.

“It is extremely disappointing we have people in the community who engage in this type of behaviour,” she said.

Police investigations are ongoing.