Latest news with #JemmaQuinlan
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- News.com.au
Suspicious fires at Play to Learn centres in Castle Hill, Turramurra being investigated
A suspicious fire has broken out at a childcare centre in Sydney's northwest overnight - the second similar incident for the operator in a matter of days. Emergency crews were called to the Play to Learn centre in Castle Hill at about 1.30am on Monday, after reports of a fire. The flames were quickly extinguished, causing minor damage to the building. 'Firefighters arrived to find the fire sprinkler system activated and signs of a fire that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system,' a Fire and Rescue spokesman told NewsWire. No injuries have been reported. Police are treating the fire as suspicious, a police spokesman said. It comes after a fire tore through another Play to Learn centre in Turramurra on Friday. It also caused minor damage to the building and is being treated as suspicious. Play to Learn has been operating on The Central Coast for nearly two decades, and opened the Turramurra centre less than a year when the incident occurred. On Friday, the centre's head of operations Jemma Quinlan said she had 'absolutely no idea' why the business may have been targeted. 'It's horrific – we're here to serve the community, (and) we're here for our families and our children,' she told Today. 'We've been operating for 19 years on The Central Coast. We have an amazing reputation up there.' Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. They are yet to determine whether the two fires are linked.
Herald Sun
11-07-2025
- General
- Herald Sun
Fire at childcare centre in Turramurra, Sydney to be investigated
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A blaze that broke out at a childcare centre in Sydney's north is reportedly being treated as suspicious, with a member of staff saying they have 'no idea' why they may have been targeted. Crews were called to the Play to Learn Turramurra at about 4.25am on Friday, following reports of a fire. Emergency crews were called to the scene just before 4.30am on Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw Sprinkler systems on the premises extinguished the flames, Fire and Rescue NSW has confirmed. No injuries have been reported and minor damage was caused to the building. The owner of the centre - which has been open for less than a year - reportedly arrived at the scene at about 6am and has been speaking with police about the incident, as per Today. No injuries have been reported and minor damage was caused to the building. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw It has been reported the fire is being treated as suspicious, but this is yet to be officially confirmed by police. The centre's head of operations Jemma Quinlan said she had 'absolutely no idea' why they may have been targeted. 'It's horrific - we're here to serve the community, (and) we're here for our families and our children,' she told Today. 'We've been operating for 19 years on The Central Coast. We have an amazing reputation up there. Head of operations Jemma Quinlan has described the fire as 'horrific', saying she has no idea why the centre might have been targeted. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw 'We have generations of families that have been through Play to Learn - this has never happened (here) before. 'So we are absolutely dumbfounded and shocked.' Ms Quinlan said she found out about the fire when she was woken by a bombardment of phone calls. 'The work phone was ringing off the hook around ... 4.30am, which is obviously extremely strange,' she said. 'I think in my gut, I was just like - this is not right, something's not right.' Ms Quinlan said she soon checked through CCTV footage from the childcare centres and saw the fire at Turramurra. 'Obviously it was a massive shock - I couldn't believe what I was seeing,' she said. '(I) picked up the phone, called back the numbers that were calling me, and it was the police.' Police have established a crime scene and are now investigating the circumstances of the fire. Anyone with information in relation to the incident are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. More to come. Originally published as Fire at childcare centre in Turramurra, Sydney to be investigated
