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Firebug did this to school

Robbie MacDonald
3/12/2003

SUSPECTED firebugs caused £100,000 worth of damage after setting light to a mobile classroom at All Hallows School in the early hours of Monday morning.

Two fire engines were called to the Brooklands Avenue site at 5.30am - THREE HOURS after it was believed to have been started - after a member of the public saw flames when the blaze had taken hold.

Detectives are currently closely inspecting CCTV footage taken around the school premises on the night and they are appealing for witnesses.

They want to speak to two white youths wearing casual clothing, who were wandering around the area shortly before the fire.

The mobile unit - which has been on the site for 12 years - consisted of two classrooms and an office, it was totally gutted by the flames. The building will now have to be removed and replaced by another one next year, causing major disruptions to the school timetable.

"It was totally burnt to the ground," said headteacher Richard Weremczyk. "We are devastated that something like this has happened. The school is overcrowded as it is, so this is the last thing we needed.

"Fortunately, a lot of the pupils are currently taking mock GCSE exams or are on work experience so that has helped us a little because there are not as many children to think about.

"We have to take each day as it comes by rearranging classrooms in order to fit all of the pupils in lessons. We are not looking forward to the New Year because that is when we will have bigger problems."

The mobile rooms are used five days a week and are essential to the everyday running of the school.

Mr Weremczyk added: "Everybody is quite shocked about this. We really are upset that the children's education will be disrupted for a considerable amount of time.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information about the incident to contact the police as soon as possible."

Anyone with any information should contact DC Stuart York on 01244 613659, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.