Arson suspected in school blaze

Police and fire crews were today due to carry out further inquiries into the cause of the fire in the main hall, which led to the Holden Fold school closing early for the summer holidays.

It is believed the fire started close to the stage in the hall but smoke spread throughout the block, damaging classrooms, staff rooms, kitchens and corridors.

Pupils were told to stay away from the school yesterday and a non-uniform day and end-of-term talent show were cancelled. But headteacher Chris Morris said he was determined the school would be ready to reopen to pupils as expected on September 5, despite extensive repairs being needed.

He said: "It has caused damage to all the main corridors and adjacent areas. It is very early to assess the implications but we fully intend to be open as normal in September.

"It is a pity such a good term has ended on this note. But we won't let our spirits be dampened by it. There will be significant repair work needed and the insurance assessors will be in school to see what needs to be put right.

"People are upset about what has happened. Staff invest a lot in the school emotionally and professionally but we can recover from this."

The school block was cordonned off while firefighters tackled the fire, and sniffer dogs were used as part of investigations.

Pete Ashworth, from Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: "Our main message is to urge teachers and governors at all schools to install sprinkler systems. They're often not put in because of the cost but this fire would not have spread as far if there had been such a system and the cost to repair the damage would have been significantly less.

"We were also slowed down because with it being an old school we found asbestos which we had to deal with carefully.

"Unfortunately the smoke has caused a lot of damage over a large area which will need industrial cleaning and it will probably take about six weeks."