Fire which 'destroyed most of' Derbyshire infant school was started deliberately

Detectives are appealing for information after Ravensdale Infant School in Mickleover was found to have been set alight deliberately at 1.38am on Monday, October 5.

A spokesperson from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said the arson caused “extensive damage” and Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson tweeted that “tragically most of the infant school [had been] lost.”

Nobody was injured as a result of the fire but it comes after there was a blaze at St Mary’s School in Darley Abbey on Saturday which destroyed the entire building.

Following a joint police and fire investigation at the school in Devonshire Drive, Mickleover, yesterday, detectives concluded that the fire was a case of arson.

Superintendent Sarah McAughtrie said: “Following the joint fire investigation at Ravensdale Infant School being completed it has been found that the fire was set deliberately.

“A team of detectives have been working over the last 36 hours conducting house-to-house enquiries and undertaking CCTV trawls of the area and these enquiries continue.

“With the news that the fire was deliberate I would like to make this direct appeal to the public of Derby – someone out there has information about the person responsible and I would urge them to come forward in confidence.”

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service have ruled out a link between the fire at Ravensdale Infant School and the blaze at St Mary’s School ‘at this time’.

Detectives have said ‘there is no evidence to suggest a link’ connecting the two incidents, despite the close proximity in which they occurred and two separate enquiries are ongoing into the two fires.

Superintendent McAughtrie continued: “The investigation into the incident in Darley Abbey is ongoing and, while there is no evidential link between the two incidents, this has not been ruled out.

“The two fires have understandably had an enormous impact on the local communities and our thoughts are with all those affected at this time.

“I am sure there are people in the local area who will have information that will be key to understanding what occurred at both incidents and I would urge them to come forward.

“Also, while there is no evidence of wider risk to schools or other premises in the city, extra patrols have been put in place in order to reassure our communities and I would urge anyone who is concerned to speak to officers in your area.”

In a tweet posted on Monday, October 5, Chief Fire Officer Gavin Tomlinson said: “Shocked and saddened that Derbyshire has seen a second devastating school fire in the same weekend.

"Crews from @DerbyshireFRS have been firefighting throughout the night. Tragically most of the infant school lost. Will work with @NFCC_FireChiefs to make new schools safer.”

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