Second boy charged following Glenroi Heights Public School blaze

December 23, 2022

The Glenroi Heights Public School blaze. Photo: Troy Pearson/TNV.

By Peter Holmes

A second boy has been charged as part of an investigation into a fire at Glenroi Heights Public School earlier this month.

About 10.30pm on Monday December 5, 2022, emergency services responded to reports of a fire at a school on Maxwell Avenue in Orange.

Fire & Rescue NSW extinguished the blaze, which caused extensive damage – estimated to be worth $3 million – to the school’s library and administration block. Officers from Central West Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the fire. "Following extensive inquiries, detectives attended a home in Orange on Tuesday 20 December 2022, and arrested a 12-year-old boy. He was charged and remains before the courts," police said.

"Following further inquiries, a 13-year-old boy was arrested at a home in Orange yesterday (Thursday 22 December 2022)."

The boy was taken to Orange Police Station where he was charged with damage/destroy property by fire in company and aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence.

The boy was refused bail to appear in Orange Children’s Court today (Friday December 23, 2022).