Christ Church Grammar primary school, South Yarra, goes up in flames

A mammoth fire that ripped through a primary school in Melbourne’s inner south has been brought under control.

Firefighters were called to the scene at Punt Road and Toorak Road in South Yarra at 6.25am on Thursday.

A church which is adjoined to the Christ Church Grammar school’s campus is believed to have been the site of the fire.

The blaze was brought under control at 8.07am after 35 firefighters attended the scene.

Paramedics are currently assessing one person at the scene, who appears to be in a stable condition.

Punt Road, one of Melbourne’s busiest commuter corridors, is closed in both directions between Toorak Rd and Commercial Rd.

Fire Rescue Victoria commander Mitch Simons said the fire was believed to have started in roof of the church.

“It’s too early to say whether the building will be demolished,” he said.

“When we arrived the rear of the church was well alight, totally engulfed in fire.

“The crews have done a really good job to deploy, surround and protect the buildings around it.”

Principal of Christ Church Grammar Neil Andary said the school’s early learning centre had been renovated just a year ago.

“This is a sad time for them and a difficult time, but as a school we’ll rally together and our community’s strong,” he told ABC radio.

“Early learning centres are a lovely place where children explore and discover and do things at the beginning of their learning journey.”

Witness Diana told 3AW just how mammoth the “really, really big” early morning blaze had become.

“They’re about 10 storeys high,” she said.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

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