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Youth 'boasted about school fire' Youth 'boasted about school fire'
(about 17 hours later)
A teenage boy boasted about setting fire to a Swansea school, starting a blaze which cost £8m in damage, a court has been told.A teenage boy boasted about setting fire to a Swansea school, starting a blaze which cost £8m in damage, a court has been told.
The 17-year-old allegedly told others about starting the blaze at Penyrheol comprehensive in Gorseinon, saying he did not care and would not get caught.The 17-year-old allegedly told others about starting the blaze at Penyrheol comprehensive in Gorseinon, saying he did not care and would not get caught.
At Swansea Crown Court the teenager and another 17-year-old, who are both local but cannot be named, deny arson.At Swansea Crown Court the teenager and another 17-year-old, who are both local but cannot be named, deny arson.
The second boy admits burglary, a charge denied by the other defendant.The second boy admits burglary, a charge denied by the other defendant.
Frank Phillips, prosecuting, told the jury it was a "joint venture" which both defendants, neither of whom can be named for legal reasons, took part in.Frank Phillips, prosecuting, told the jury it was a "joint venture" which both defendants, neither of whom can be named for legal reasons, took part in.
The court also heard the extent of the damage meant the origin of the fire could not be determined but it is thought it started in the staffroom in a bag of paper meant for recycling.The court also heard the extent of the damage meant the origin of the fire could not be determined but it is thought it started in the staffroom in a bag of paper meant for recycling.
Recycling bag Fire extinguisher
Mr Phillips said strong winds on the night had caused the fire to spread.Mr Phillips said strong winds on the night had caused the fire to spread.
A number of people had seen the defendants on the night, he said.A number of people had seen the defendants on the night, he said.
One had boasted to a group of teenagers that they had broken into the school staffroom, stolen a fire extinguisher and started the blaze, said Mr Phillips.One had boasted to a group of teenagers that they had broken into the school staffroom, stolen a fire extinguisher and started the blaze, said Mr Phillips.
The teenager boasted that they had set a recycling bag on fire, said Mr Phillips, that they had not meant for the school to catch fire, but that they did not care and would not be caught.The teenager boasted that they had set a recycling bag on fire, said Mr Phillips, that they had not meant for the school to catch fire, but that they did not care and would not be caught.
Renovation has been carried out at the school siteRenovation has been carried out at the school site
The prosecution also said a neighbour who lived on the same side of the street as the school would give evidence in the trial that he heard voices and the noise of fire extinguishers going off and then that he saw two people running off.The prosecution also said a neighbour who lived on the same side of the street as the school would give evidence in the trial that he heard voices and the noise of fire extinguishers going off and then that he saw two people running off.
The school has now re-opened, but the prosecution said it had been left "devastated".The school has now re-opened, but the prosecution said it had been left "devastated".
Almost 1,000 pupils attend the school and there were 42 classrooms, 40 of which were destroyed, said Mr Phillips.Almost 1,000 pupils attend the school and there were 42 classrooms, 40 of which were destroyed, said Mr Phillips.
He said the final cost had not yet been calculated but it was estimated to be £8m.He said the final cost had not yet been calculated but it was estimated to be £8m.
The trial continues.The trial continues.