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Thousands of pounds of damage caused in school arson attack

Robert Dawson
8/10/2008

A FIRE which threatened to rip through a Stockport primary school is being treated as arson.

Firefighters were called to Dial Park Primary School on Half Moon Lane, Offerton on Sunday evening after reports of a blaze at the school.

They found the front engulfed in flames and had to fight to stop the fire spreading to the rest of the building.

It is believed that the fire started after children's play equipment and a number of wooden crates were set alight in front of the school building.

Despite the blaze - which has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage - the school was open as usual on Monday.

A spokesman for Manchester Fire and Rescue said: "On arrival, firefighters from Offerton and Stockport stations found a well developed fire had taken hold to a section of the school. Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and fought the fire using three water jets.

"The fire was quickly brought under control and prevented from spreading to other parts of the building.

"Initial thoughts are that the cause of the fire was deliberate. Fire Investigators and Police are now working to determine exactly what caused the blaze."

Detective Sergeant Hayden Roberts, of Stockport CID, added: "It is clear this fire has been started deliberately. Whether the intention was for it to spread to the school building is unclear, however thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused.

"I would appeal to anyone that may have seen anyone in or around the school in the moments leading up to the fire to come forward."

Steve Blomeley, 46, whose four-year-old daughter Cora attends Dial Park Primary, said: "It is upsetting that someone has obviously targeted a place of education. I think it's disgusting.

"My daughter was genuinely upset because she thought she wouldn't be able to go to school."

The school declined to comment about the incident, but a spokesman for Stockport Council said that members of staff had worked round the clock to ensure pupils were not affected.

He said: "A fire occurred at Dial Park Primary School over the weekend and there was some damage caused, mainly to the new-build part of the premises.

"The headteacher and staff at the school worked with members of the emergency service to ensure the school would be operational on Monday and that there would be minimal disruption to teaching and learning for pupils."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Stockport CID on 0161 856 9840.