Two arrested over arson probe at Hampshire school

10:59am Tuesday 24th June 2008

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TWO teenage girls have been arrested after a fire swept through part of a Hampshire school.

A 13-year-old and a 14-year-old were today being questioned by police over the fire that broke out at Henry Cort school in Fareham.

The investigation was launched aftera fierce blaze swept through part of a the technology block, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Pupils and staff had to be evacuated from the Henry Cort Community College in Hillson Drive as firefigters, wearing breathing sets, tackled the blaze.

The fire broke out in a classroom at about 2.30pm but fortunately there were no pupils in the room at the time.

About 630 pupils were evacuated and diverted to safe areas away from the fire.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said: "A 13 year-old girl and a 14 year-old girl from Gosport have been arrested on suspicion of arson."

The spokesman added that inquires were continuing.

Principal Phil Munday praised the way pupils reacted to the situation.

He said: "They all behaved very calmly and followed all the correct procedures after the building was evacuated."

Mr Munday said that two classroom had been badly damaged by fire and others had been smoke damaged. About 10 classrooms were out of action but the school was still open today.

There was no disruption to exams but Mr Munday said some artwork and textiles had been smoke damaged. Today the damage was still being assessed.

Mr Munday praised the sterling work of the school's site manager Ray Lewis who was treated at the scene for slight smoke inhalation but he still managed to carry on working.

Twenty firefighters, wearing breathing sets, tackled the fire and took about an hour to get it under control. They remained on the scene until about 5pm.

There were three fire engines from Fareham and an aerial platform ladder from Redbridge, Southampton.

Thermal imaging equipment was used to detect hot spots in the roof.

A Hampshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said that the fire was being investigated by the brigade's arson task force.