Investigations Are Ongoing Into An Alleged Arson Attack On COVID-19 Clinic in St Mary's

 

CREDIT: The Guardian

NSW Police are investigating a fire that has extremely damaged a COVID-19 testing clinic in St Mary's.

Police were patrolling around 10:50pm on Saturday when they discovered the fire in North St Mary's.

The building became well alight before firefighters gained control and extinguished the fire.

While searching the area, police came across graffiti on a different building.

"COVID-19 is a lie. People wake up now. Fight the system. Revolt. F**k the system, f**k Gladys."

Jason Pietruszka, Nepean Police Area Command Crime Manager Detective Inspector described the messages as "anti-government and anti-COVID."

"To be perfectly honest, obviously I think they're quite ridiculous and quite pointless to engage in such conduct."

"To make such comments, and to engage in such activity is criminal and will be seriously frowned upon by the courts when that person is put before them."

He believes people should have an opinion "but what this person has engaged in overnight is criminal."

"It's also very damaging to the community who rely on this testing clinic to assist with the health message and with their own health."

No testing swabs were destroyed and the clinic is able to continue administering tests despite the damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined but police are seeing this as suspicious.

The investigation is ongoing, CCTV footage is being looked at and police believe only one person was involved.

"Judging on what they've done today, they're very likely to do it again."

Gladys Berejiklian is devastated to hear of the attack.

"It is always disappointing when people ignore health advice or pretend that COVID-19 is not serious."

"A number of people do have those views and demonstrate them from time to time and that is the threat of Delta."

Anyone with information is being urged to tell authorities.