THE devastating blaze which ripped through Coney Green High School eleven days ago started in the same classroom targeted in an earlier arson attack.

And detectives have reopened their inquiries into the incident on May 18 which caused damage to the room.

The Bury Times understands that during the past few months the classroom has been singled out by firebugs on three separate occasions.

In the May 18 attack a petrol bomb was apparently hurled through a window. Although the fire did not take hold, the classroom sustained damage.

On Wednesday detectives confirmed that the latest arson attack, which wrecked one wing of the Spring Lane building, happened in exactly the same room.

Detective Constable Steve Simcock said: "Apart from investigating last weekend's blaze, we are also reinvestigating the petrol bomb attack on May 18."

Meanwhile, governors and other Coney Green representatives were meeting local authority education chiefs.

The chairman of the governors, Mr Colin Jones, said: "The meeting was to provide an update on just where we are.

"The clean-up at the school is well under way and an assessment has been carried out to pinpoint the exact damage done."

He added: "It is now clear there was more damage to the wiring than first thought. The job will be bigger than we had anticipated. It's a formidable task, but people are responding to it."

Mr Jones repeated the pledge that Coney Green would reopen in time for the autumn term.

But it is highly unlikely that the two classrooms and a dining area which were ravaged by the blaze will be back in use.

"A decision will have to be made whether we need temporary accommodation on the site," the chairman stated.

"But we can assure parents every child at the school will be accommodated."

THE summer literacy scheme due to have been held at Coney Green has been switched to Radcliffe High School.

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