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Group claims it started Portishead police training centre fire | Group claims it started Portishead police training centre fire |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An anarchist group has claimed it started a fire which ripped through a new police firearms training centre. | An anarchist group has claimed it started a fire which ripped through a new police firearms training centre. |
A passing officer spotted the blaze at the Black Rock centre in Portishead, Somerset, on Tuesday. It was due to be opened early next year. | |
In a post on the Bristol Indymedia website, the group says members climbed into the quarry and "used accelerant to burn the major electrical cables". | In a post on the Bristol Indymedia website, the group says members climbed into the quarry and "used accelerant to burn the major electrical cables". |
Avon and Somerset Police are investigating the claims. | Avon and Somerset Police are investigating the claims. |
The group, describing itself as Angry Foxes Cell, said members targeted the construction site on the evening of 26 August and "left it with flames licking high". | |
Firefighters are expected to be on site for several days. | Firefighters are expected to be on site for several days. |
On Wednesday, a fire service spokeswoman said four crews had remained on site overnight tackling the aftermath of the fire. | |
"Firefighters are likely to be there for some time checking for any hot spots to make sure the blaze doesn't reignite," she added. | |
"Once the building is secure an investigation into the circumstances of the fire will take place." | |
Valley Road remains closed and motorists are being advised to take alternative routes. | Valley Road remains closed and motorists are being advised to take alternative routes. |
PFI police centre | |
The centre, which is being built at Black Rock Quarry, is to be used by the Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire forces. | |
The facility, which will contain two indoor firing ranges and classrooms, was due to open next year. | |
It is part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal with which will also see police stations and other operational facilities built in Patchway, Keynsham and Bridgwater. | |
Bristol Indymedia is a volunteer-run open-access news website which is part of the global Indymedia movement which covers "grassroots, non-commercial news". |