Men charged over alleged fires at Play to Learn childcare centres

After two alleged break-ins and fires set off internal sprinklers and alarms, scorched walls and left signs of accelerant at childcare centres on Sydney’s upper north shore, staff wondered why someone would target the business.

An answer could be getting closer after two men were charged by arson detectives.

The Play to Learn centre at Castle Hill.Nick Moir

One of the men, Jose Martino, 25, will face court on Tuesday charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter and participating in a criminal group over the suspicious fires at Play to Learn facilities at Turramurra and Castle Hill in July.

After the Turramurra fire, six weeks after the centre opened, Play to Learn’s operations head Jemma Quinlan said she had “absolutely no idea” why the centre was targeted.

“I can’t even comprehend why someone would even do this to a childcare centre,” she said.

“There’s been no threats. There’s been nothing.”

The Turramurra Play to Learn facility was the first to be targeted.Janie Barrett

Days later, after the second centre was torched, Play to Learn founder Jade Luci was similarly mystified.

“There are no concerns around any of our employees … there are no internal investigations or grievances,” Luci said in a message on social media.

“We do not know who is responsible or why these attacks have happened, and like many of you we are heartbroken and searching for answers.”

The Turramurra facility reopened the day after the fire at the Castle Hill centre, which has also reopened.

A forensic officer gathering evidence at a vacant block behind Play to Learn Castle Hill following a fire in July.Nick Moir

The centre said it had been reassured by detectives the fires were “not an attack on our community” and there was no ongoing threat.

The Herald reported at the time police were looking into potential organised crime links as part of the investigation.

The two centres, and another facility at Toukley on the Central Coast, were owned by plasterer Patrick Merhi, through separate companies. There is no suggestion Merhi is involved in criminal activity.

Martino was arrested on Monday in Wellington, in central west NSW.

It followed the arrest of Ashton Saunders, 22, at Ambarvale in Sydney’s south-west earlier in May.

Saunders was also charged with aggravated break and enter and criminal group offences, along with two counts of assaulting police. He was refused bail to face court again in July.

Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.