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Boy, 14, arrested over Shinewater Primary School arson | Boy, 14, arrested over Shinewater Primary School arson |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a fire partially destroyed a primary school in Eastbourne. | A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after a fire partially destroyed a primary school in Eastbourne. |
The blaze began at Shinewater Primary School in Milfoil Drive just after midnight. There were no injuries but damage to the school is extensive. | |
Fire crews from Eastbourne, Hailsham, Herstmonceux, Pevensey, Bexhill, Seaford, Hastings, Battle and Uckfeld tackled the blaze. | |
Sussex Police said the boy had been arrested on suspicion of arson. | Sussex Police said the boy had been arrested on suspicion of arson. |
The school is closed until further notice as the ground floor, first floor and roof of the building have been destroyed. | |
Richard Fowler, East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: "The investigators will be looking closely at the scene today, looking at the evidence and trying to establish what the cause of the fire was." | |
Parent Peter George Allen witnessed the fire. Writing on Facebook, he said: "The head teacher had just walked past us and looked to be in tears. | Parent Peter George Allen witnessed the fire. Writing on Facebook, he said: "The head teacher had just walked past us and looked to be in tears. |
"Cannot believe what I am watching here and it's a horrible feeling having to tell Francesca tomorrow." | "Cannot believe what I am watching here and it's a horrible feeling having to tell Francesca tomorrow." |
Head teacher Theresa Buttery said: "We've lost about 50% of our teaching space. All our year three, four, five and six classrooms are affected by this." | |
'Upsetting for everyone' | 'Upsetting for everyone' |
Stuart Gallimore, East Sussex County Council director of children's services, said the school and council were working together to find alternative provision for the pupils as quickly as possible. | |
"However, our first priority has to be the safety of the children," he added. | |
"This has been an upsetting incident for everyone concerned with the school, but we're thankful that no-one has been hurt and we'd like to thank the fire service who have worked through the night to tackle the blaze and its aftermath. | "This has been an upsetting incident for everyone concerned with the school, but we're thankful that no-one has been hurt and we'd like to thank the fire service who have worked through the night to tackle the blaze and its aftermath. |
"We will continue to keep parents informed of the situation as it develops in the coming days," he said. | |
Local MP Caroline Ansell said: "The town is rallying, there have been offers from local churches and other schools and we will make that provision." |