Arson Attack Targets Second Childcare Center in Sydney in Less Than 72 Hours

A childcare centre in Sydney's north-west, Play to Learn Castle Hill, has been targeted in an alleged arson attack, just three days after another centre in the same chain was set ablaze. The fire was extinguished by automatic sprinklers, and no one was injured. Police are investigating possible links to a similar fire at another Play to Learn centre last week.

Sydney's Play to Learn childcare chain has once again been targeted by suspected arsonists. This time, the Castle Hill centre was set ablaze in the early hours of Monday morning, just three days after a similar incident at the Turramurra centre. The fire was swiftly extinguished by the centre's automatic sprinkler system, causing minor damage but no injuries [3].

The fire at the Castle Hill centre, located on Excelsior Avenue, was reported around midnight on Monday. NSW Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the incident, with detectives looking into potential links to the Turramurra fire that occurred last Friday. The Turramurra centre also suffered minor damage and was targeted by a group of masked men who were seen on CCTV pouring an accelerant before setting the building alight [3].

Play to Learn, which has been operating on the Central Coast for nearly two decades, has expressed shock and concern over the incidents. The chain operates three centres in the region, with the latest attack being the second in the past week. Head of operations Jemma Quinlan stated, "It's horrific – we're here to serve the community, and we're here for our families and our children" [3].

The NSW Police are urging anyone with information about the incidents to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The investigation into the Castle Hill fire is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the two incidents are linked.

References:
[1] https://www.facebook.com/Sunrise/videos/childcare-targeted-in-arson-attack/1279268193828442/
[2] https://www.sofx.com/3-men-found-guilty-in-wagner-linked-arson-attack-on-london-warehouse-storing-starlink-for-ukraine/
[3] https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/suspicious-fires-at-play-to-learn-centres-in-castle-hill-turramurra-being-investigated/news-story/9dde40bd04abf353a9ad86d8dfbaad2b