By JODIE SYMONDS
POLICE are investigating a Lilydale school fire that saw more than 15 reptiles perish and some missing in the blaze.
A portable building caught on fire at Lilydale High School in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Emergency crews were called to the school after an alarm set off at 12.30am once the roof began to collapse.
Built in 2002, the “totally ruined” reptile enclosure was home to more than 100 snakes, lizards, frogs and turtles.
The blaze was relieved within 20 minutes however emergency services said the portable is estimated to have suffered $80,000 in damage and will need to be replaced.
Some fire fighters were hesitant to attend because they were unsure of how dangerous the snakes would be.
“Some were unsure of the snakes as they didn’t know if they were venomous or not,” Lilydale CFA Captain Warren Davis said.
The reptiles that were saved have been vet checked and only one had burns needing medication.
Eight fire trucks from Mount Evelyn, Mooroolbark, Lilydale and Bayswater attended the blaze.
On Thursday, police said while there were no signs of forced entry and the fire had not been deemed as suspicious, investigations were continuing.
After being notified by police, Lilydale CFA forced entry to find some reptiles had escaped their enclosures, others were found to have perished in the blaze.
It took more than two hours to rescue the reptiles once the scene was safe enough to clear.
Carer of the reptile enclosure Mark Whitby said the support from the community had been overwhelming.
“Some families have taken the reptiles home, Healesville Primary School took some as well,” Mr Whitby said.
“It’s just wonderful the support we have received from students, their families, other schools and people we don’t even know.
“We’ve been working to help set up the new enclosure for the reptiles and students so there isn’t too much of a disruption.”
Lilydale High School principal Leon Bishop praised Lilydale CFA for their work putting out the fire and helping rescue the reptiles.
“I was really upset at the sight of the blaze,” Mr Bishop said.
“The fire just absolutely gutted the room.”
Luckily a representative of the school attended the scene to confirm the snakes were not harmful.
Most of the reptiles were locked in a separate room within the portable and remained unharmed from smoke or heat.
Capt Davis said he was surprised at how many reptiles were saved because of the amount of smoke that was in the classroom.
Capt Davis said he felt devastated for the students that used the classroom frequently.
“It’s a bit of a shame because it was such a good thing for the kids,” he said.
“Now they will have to bring in another portable, but now the kids are without a reptile enclosure.
“If they didn’t have the alarm the damage would have been a lot worse.”
The reptile enclosure was created to give the students the opportunity to interact with animals that most students wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to learn about.
The remaining reptiles and snakes are safe in other science rooms and are now in the care of numerous students and their families.
