Fire destroys building at derelict Smithfield Plains primary school
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An abandoned school gutted by fire in Adelaide's north was ignored by authorities and left to fall into a state of disrepair despite warnings from residents, a local says.
Fire crews were called to the former Smithfield Plains Primary and Junior Primary School on Buchanan Road about 7:30pm on Sunday.
The fire destroyed one of the derelict buildings and damaged others, sending smoke across surrounding areas.
"It was very difficult to gain access due to the tin boarding up the two-level classroom building and it took some time to get to the scene of the fire and finally get control," Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) commander Tim Falland said.
About 60 firefighters spent four hours containing the blaze, and the cause is still being investigated.
Residents were advised to stay indoors and shut their windows and doors.
"This area was completely choked. You couldn't even breathe," said Gabby Wissell, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years.
Ms Wissell had previously called for the disused school to be demolished, describing it as an "eyesore".
She also raised concerns with both state and local governments, and said she took local MP Jon Gee on a tour of the site.
"We have made them aware, we have begged them to do something," she said.
"This school has caused problems in the area now. It's vandalised, it's been used for drug taking, it's been used for drinking, it's been used for graffiti, it's been used for bad behaviour."
The school was closed several years ago and the site is believed to have been sold to a developer in 2015.
"We want this eyesore demolished. We want it gone," Ms Wissell said.
"It's the community which is suffering. We're suffering with devaluing of the houses.
"The community here deserves better."
Topics: fires, smithfield-plains-5114, smithfield-5114, adelaide-5000, sa
