Two fires in a week; 10 in a few months.
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Wagga’s historic rail gatehouse is slowly being destroyed by a relentless group of children who are using the premises to get high.
“There are literally hundreds of deodorant cans littered around the place,” Wagga Fire and Rescue station officer Chad Kennis said.
“We quickly figured out the kids are sniffing the cans, writing obscene messages on the walls, and then setting fire to the place before they leave.”
A major concern is the timing of the fires, and the dangerous trend amongst children of “huffing” – or inhaling – vapours from aerosol cans.
“Neighbours are really upset. They see the kids come and go, and watch as the gatehouse is slowly being trashed,” Mr Kennis said.
People who use inhalants can lose their sense of smell, suffer nausea and nosebleeds and may develop liver, lung and kidney problems.
Continued use can lead to reduced muscle mass, tone and strength.
Inhalants can kill a person by heart attack or suffocation as the inhaled fumes take the place of oxygen in the lungs and central nervous system.
Someone on inhalants may also suddenly react with extreme violence.
“It’s no accident the fires are being lit in the school lunch breaks and after school,” Mr Kennis said.
Fire fighters say the place is now getting too dangerous to enter as the floorboards and joints have been set alight, rendering the premises unsafe; but still the gatehouse is a target.
It’s a devastating coda to what has been a proud history of Wagga’s rail corridor.
Built in 1881 during a boom-time for railway construction, the gatehouse was constructed by Charles Hardy, who at the time headed Wagga’s most influential construction firm.
His attention to detail and insistence of fine joinery, both inside and outside the buildings, has helped the once beautiful building survive as long as it has.
The incessant invasion is also proving a headache for the building's custodian; The Australian Rail Track Corporation or ARTC.
“The gatekeepers building is unfortunately regularly targeted for vandalism and this is immensely concerning and frustrating for us as an organisation,” ARTC spokesman Bas Bolyn said.
“While this building is fenced, unfortunately, it is regularly cut by vandals and trespassers to gain access.
“If any members of the community are aware of any information...we encourage them to report information to police or Crime Stoppers.”
Rail staff and train drivers have been put on alert for suspicious behaviour around the site, while a team will conduct repairs this week.