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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. 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 battled the blaze. 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 ground floor, first floor and roof of the building have been destroyed, East Sussex Fire and Rescue said. The school is closed until further notice as the ground floor, first floor and roof of the building have been destroyed.
The school is closed until further notice. 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 half the teaching areas of the school had been damaged, affecting areas used by years three, four, five and six. 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.
He added: "The school and the council are 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.
"However, our first priority has to be the safety of the children.
"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." "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."