5:02pm Thursday 4th March 2010
ARSONISTS have targeted a Hampshire pre-school for the second time in three years.
Play equipment replaced in the first attack on Chatterbox Community Pre-School’s base at Montfort Hall was wrecked in the latest attack which has closed the school for two days.
The equipment including bikes, trampolines, books, paperwork, was stored in a large metal container in the grounds of Montfort Hall ain Benedict Close, Romsey.
The Meader family who own Crampmoor Garage has already given the preschool £100 towards replacing some of the equipment lost in the fire.
Supervisor Lorraine Morgan said: “This is a devastating blow for us.
It’s upsetting for everyone including the children who have lost their equipment.
“We think it was just mindless children behind it But the question has to be asked what are they doing out at that time of night on their own?” said Lorraine.
Forensic teams cordoned off the area where the attack occurred and searched the debris for clues.
The pre-school is due to reopen today and Mrs Morgan added: “All the toys replaced after the last fire in April 2007 have been destroyed. We’ve lost everything again. There was no sign of a break-in.”
The equipment inside the container was worth more than £1,000.
Police believe the fire was started in the container sometime between 3am and 4am and it smouldered for some hours before bursting into flames.
After the 2007 fire, a £100,000 fundraising campaign was launched within the community to rebuild the hall and. Preschool children were given a temporary base at nearby Halterworth Primary School while the work was carried out.
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