Two classrooms and the bookstore were damaged in the fire at Maboloka Primary School. The fire started shortly after midnight on Wednesday (4/2), Free State education spokesperson Howard Ndaba confirmed. 

The department was alerted by residents living near the school. Firefighters arrived on the scene quickly. 

Police were notified and have launched an investigation. 

The furniture inside the classrooms was completely destroyed. Photo: OFM News

The cause of the fire has not yet been established.  

The incident was reported to the Mangaung fire department at 02:01, and firefighters arrived at 02:11 and extinguished the fire within an hour, said Mangaung fire and rescue chief Braam van Zyl. 

The team returned to the scene later in the morning after the fire reignited. The forensic team was to investigate the cause on Wednesday, added Van Zyl. 

A resident who spoke to OFM News suggested foul play was suspected. The affected classrooms did not have electrical wiring, as electrical cables had previously been vandalised and were never replaced, they claimed.  

The furniture inside the classrooms was completely destroyed, said Ndaba. 

The department is still assessing the extent of the damage. The school has been temporarily closed. Investigations into the incident are ongoing. 

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh