A NEW preschool in Belmont, on the verge of opening, has been damaged by fire on Monday.
NSW Fire and Rescue crews were called to the Creations Education Academy Belmont on George Street just before 10am to reports of a building fire.
The blaze started in a cupboard before it spread to the building's roof cavity. Fire fighters worked to ensure the flames remained contained, with several other businesses neighbouring the premises put on alert. The street was closed to traffic and thick smoke was seen billowing from the site for about an hour.
In other news
- Grand theft auto: Thieves take 52 motorbikes in overnight heist
- Aged care centre has 60 per cent empty beds: 'people don't want to go there'
- Nippers chomping at the bit to hit Hunter beaches this season
- Knights recruit Adam Elliott hoping to emulate partner Millie Boyle's success
The fire was isolated and brought under control, before the site was handed back over to its owners. The cause of the fire will now be investigated, but is not believed to be suspicious.
While no children were attending the preschool at the time of the blaze, it is understood there were staff inside the building. They safely evacuated the premises and no one was injured during the incident.
The preschool, set to open this month, was recently refurbished and rebranded after the building had previously been used as a daycare centre. According to the Creations Education Academy social media feed, Monday was meant to mark the start of orientation week and site tours for children enrolled to start at the centre.
Newcastle Herald has contacted the academy for comment.
