Blaze at Derry primary school started deliberately: fire chief

A blaze at a Derry primary school last night was started deliberately, fire chiefs have confirmed.

The fire at Holy Child Primary School at Central Drive in the Creggan area of the city broke out at around 9.00pm.

The fire was contained to a block of classrooms to the rear of the building.

At one stage, six fire crews attended the incident.

Building materials, to be used today, were set on fire.

Kevin Lynch, District Commander with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said the quick response of fire crews prevented the blaze from spreading and the school would be able to operate as normal today.

No one was injured in the incident.

Those responsible have been condemned.

Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly described the incident as “absolutely disgusting.”

Speaking at the scene last night, he said: "Following on from last week's vandal attack on the adjacent St Cecilia's College sports pavilion, this is absolutely disgusting.

"Several hundred people have gathered here and they are shocked and totally sickened with what they are witnessing.

"This is not just an attack on the school but an attack on the entire community and those responsible must be condemned."

Sinn Fein Councillor Kevin Campbell, who also visited the scene, said: “There is shock in the local area that anyone would even contemplate starting a fire at a school,” he said.

"It's just deplorable and sickening.

“I would like to thank the work of the Fire Service who dealt with this fire and would appeal to anyone in the community who has any information on who was involved in this incident to bring it forward to the police.”