Second Derbyshire school fire that wrecked entire building ruled as arson after investigation

A second Derbyshire school fire that destroyed the entire building has been ruled as arson this week, following an investigation by the region’s Fire and Rescue Service.
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Firefighters were called to a fire at St Mary’s School in Darley Abbey at 5.24am on Saturday, October 3 which left the building completely destroyed.

A joint fire investigation into the cause of the blaze has found that the fire was deliberately started by a naked flame – making it the second school fire to be ruled as an arson attack this week.

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The devastating blaze at St Mary’s came only 48 hours before fire crews attended another deliberate school fire at Ravensdale Infant School in Mickleover at 1.38am on Monday, October 5.

St Mary's School in Darley Abbey was deliberately set alight at 5.24am on Saturday, October 3.St Mary's School in Darley Abbey was deliberately set alight at 5.24am on Saturday, October 3.
St Mary's School in Darley Abbey was deliberately set alight at 5.24am on Saturday, October 3.

Derbyshire’s chief fire officer Gavin Tomlinson said: “The last week has seen two devastating fires at schools in the heart of our communities.

“I am angered to hear that both fires were started deliberately. Unnecessary distress has been imposed on the children attending those schools, their parents and the teaching staff who work tirelessly to provide our children with the education they are entitled too.

“I am equally angered that these fires happened when there is a simple fire safety solution that would prevent, or reduce such devastation which causes huge emotional and economic loss.

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“Alongside the National Fire Chiefs Council I will continue to lobby government to call for a change to fire safety legislation for schools - to mandate that sprinklers will be fitted in all new and refurbished schools.

A joint fire investigation found that the blaze was started intentionally with a naked flame.A joint fire investigation found that the blaze was started intentionally with a naked flame.
A joint fire investigation found that the blaze was started intentionally with a naked flame.

"This would bring England in line with Scotland and Wales.

“Sadly my campaign for a change in legislation can’t alter what has happened to the communities affected by the fires at St Mary’s and Ravensdale Infant Schools and similarly at Harrington School, Long Eaton in May, but I can assure everyone that I will do everything within my power to prevent other schools being affected in this way.

“The community spirit that I have witnessed from those affected by these senseless fires has been amazing and really does demonstrate that any school is at the heart of a community.”

A police investigation into the deliberate fire will continue and anyone who has any information about the arson attack should call officers on 101.

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