Men behind $4 million school fire may be linked to string of blazes

Police have released CCTV in an attempt to find those responsible for a suspicious school fire in Victoria that caused $4 million of damage.

Two unknown men, armed with tools, entered Christian College Senior School in Geelong in the early hours of New Year's Day.

They used hammers to damage a ping pong table before a fire was lit at a large building containing several classrooms.

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Emergency services were called to reports of the fire at 2.30am and found the building completely destroyed by the blaze.

There was more than $4 million worth of damage, with the entire wing forced to be demolished.

Repairs are estimated to take more than a year but numerous sentimental items are forever gone.

"Notes and letters and photos that [teachers] had kept for years from past students. Yeah, a bit disappointing," acting principal Rick Geall said.

Police said they believe the two men had been at the school two days prior to the fire.

They are now investigating whether they are linked to a string of other small blazes in Geelong.

"It's pretty pathetic, careless," Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said.

"They've done it once, why wouldn't they do it again? That's my concern."

Detectives released CCTV and images of two men they believe can help with their enquiries.

The first man is described as having a solid build and a reddish beard. He was pictured wearing dark clothing.

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The second man had a medium build and was also in dark clothing.

Geall said they had no idea who the men could be.

Classes will return as normal when term one begins in less than two weeks with plans underway to bring in temporary classrooms.

The school had previously been gutted by an electrical blaze which destroyed part of the campus in 2018.

Investigations into the incident are continuing and anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.