Arson suspected at Hampshire school

A school in Hampshire was evacuated on 7th November after a fire broke out in the roof.

Fire crews attended the incident at Clere Secondary School in Burghclere at around 2pm when a blaze was reported to have broken out in the roof of the sports hall.

Around 700 pupils were evacuated from the school. Access to the roof was hampered by solar panels. It was quickly decided that crews would use compressed air foam to fight the fire internally.

A structural engineer from Basingstoke & Deane Council attended the incident as fears grew that the roof may collapse. It is thought that around a fifth of the roof was damaged in the fire.

Senior fire officer Dave Graham said: “The school was brilliant at evacuating the children in good time and crews worked hard under challenging conditions, hindered by the solar panels, to keep the fire from entering the sports hall and stop what could have been 100 per cent damage to the property.”

Amanda Keable from the school said she at first thought that the smoke was coming from a nearby bonfire but soon realised it was a blaze on the school premises. Ms Keable said: “The children were fantastic in evacuating the building and crew have been brilliant in keeping us updated and working hard in hot conditions.”

Detectives investigating the cause of the fire have recently arrested four teenagers, and have charged a 15-year-old, from Newbury, with arson with intent. The suspect is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.

Two 14-year-old boys have been released on bail until December 24, pending further enquiries. A 15-year-old girl was also arrested in connection with the incident but was later released.