A public school in Newcastle near to the recent Wickham wool store fire has been forced to close, according to the Department of Education, due to asbestos exposure from the blaze.
One parent who spoke to the media said that the “response from the school has been as good as it can be…The clean-up is so long and extensive for the school, so we presume that is going to be the same for our houses, so we’re grappling how to deal with that.”
Parents were directed to collect their children from the school on Wednesday last week. It was downwind from the blaze, and the roof of the building was made of asbestos, raising concerns about possible contamination threats.
The principal of the school, Kim Harris, told parents that the “unexpected event is beyond our control. We remain sharply focused on ensuring student and staff safety and the continuity of learning at this extraordinary time.
“This is why we are taking steps to use local neighbouring school sites for all of our students in the short term.”
The executive director of Newcastle Schools confirmed the school had undergone deep cleaning through the weekend, and air monitoring was in place at the site in addition to specialist hygienists. The clearance certificate is yet to be issued as the work continues, which will be the all-clear for students to return to the school.
At the site of the fire, demolition works have begun under environmental control standards to manage the cleanup.