Police probe ‘suspicious’ fire at Islamic school
A fire at an Islamic boarding school which led to hundreds of pupils and staff being evacuated is blamed on “intruders”.
Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the Darul Uloom Islamic School in Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst, south east London, on Saturday night.
Officers said investigations are at an early stage but the fire is being treated as suspicious. No arrests have been made.
Two men were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not need hospital treatment.
Police said the fire called minor damage to the building.
The academic department of the school was set alight just before midnight by intruders. Saiyed Mahmood
Saiyed Mahmood, an adviser to the school, said: “The academic department of the school was set alight just before midnight by intruders. Initially the staff extinguished the fire and evacuated the students to safety.”
He added: “We are part of the British community and are deeply saddened by the events that have taken place last night and urge the community to stay firm and united in bringing the people responsible to justice.
“The community at large have to come together for a safe and peaceful life in Britain.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Steph Roberts, Bromley borough commander, said: “We would ask members of the public to remain calm and not to speculate as to the cause of the fire. A full police investigation is ongoing.
“There is an increased police presence around potentially vulnerable locations in the borough of Bromley and across London, including additional patrols to provide reassurance and deter crime.”
We would ask members of the public to remain calm and not to speculate as to the cause of the fire. Steph Roberts
The £3,000-a-year boarding school was established in 1988 with the purpose of producing “great scholars and Huffaz (people who have memorised the Koran) to preserve and transmit the eternal message of Allah”.
Its website says: “The institution helps children to explore and develop their Islamic identity as a natural part of their mental, emotional and personal development.
“The school aims to prepare Muslim students to be good Muslims and responsible citizens; to embed in the student a sense of discipline; to enable them to grow up to become upright, respectable and worthy citizens of their respective countries.”
The school was built in 1974 and comprises 130 boarding rooms in addition to classrooms, dining hall, assembly hall, prayer hall, gym, laboratories, playing fields and car parking with 100 spaces, over a 10 acre site.
London Fire Brigade said: “Around 128 people, thought to have been made up of pupils and staff, evacuated the building before firefighters arrived on the scene.”
He said 21 firefighters were involved and four engines.