AUSTRALIA: FIRE DESTROYS BLUE MOUNTAINS HISTORIC CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Cath News report: Fire has destroyed six classrooms and caused part of the roof to collapse at an historic Catholic school in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, reports the Ninemsn website. Firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading to heritage-listed areas of St Columba's High School in Springwood, some of which are 101 years old. The school was originally built as a seminary in 1909.

The fire broke out early Tuesday and was extinguished by 9am (AEDT) and destroyed four English classrooms and two food technology classrooms, a statement on the school's website said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with the NSW Fire Brigades saying it is still too dangerous for investigators to go into the building.

"The damage is in around six classrooms in the newer part of the site and the main damage seems to be in the roof," school principal Delma Horan told ABC Radio, but added that the school would open as normal in the new year.

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=24602

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