School children arrested after blaze
Five children are arrested and bailed in Lancashire after a fire destroys a school that was due to reopen on Monday after the summer holidays.
The boys aged between 11 and 15 were arrested after firefighters tackled the blaze at Leyland St Mary’s Catholic Technology College in Royal Avenue, Leyland, Lancashire.
The five children, from Leyland, were later released on police bail until September 30 pending further inquiries.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said 125 firefighters and 20 engines were used to tackle the fire.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Firefighters are also jetting water on to the fire through the side of the school as well. pic.twitter.com/EMBIp0FQL7
— Lancashire Fire (@LancashireFRS) September 1, 2013
This is the scene at the moment. We have 8 fire engines here and 2 aerial ladder platforms. pic.twitter.com/ieVmFFHOHl
— Lancashire Fire (@LancashireFRS) September 1, 2013
Another view of the remains of St Mary’s Catholic Technology College this morning pic.twitter.com/FRHjYP22bc
— Lancashire Fire (@LancashireFRS) September 2, 2013
‘Devastating damage’
About 10 fire engines remained at the scene in the early hours of Monday to extinguish the last pockets of flames and ensure the scene was safe.
Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene until late Monday afternoon.
Staff were due to attend the school on Monday for an inset day, its website said, and pupils were to return for lessons after the holidays on Tuesday.
A statement on its website said the fire had caused “devastating damage” and asked people to “please pray for the school at this difficult time”.