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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Arson suspected in Londonderry school fire | Arson suspected in Londonderry school fire |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Arsonists may have been behind a fire that badly damaged a former school in Londonderry, a fire officer has said. | Arsonists may have been behind a fire that badly damaged a former school in Londonderry, a fire officer has said. |
| Assistant Group Commander Mark Smith said he believed the blaze at St Peter's High School in Creggan may have been started intentionally. | Assistant Group Commander Mark Smith said he believed the blaze at St Peter's High School in Creggan may have been started intentionally. |
| At one point nine fire appliances attended the fire which broke out just before 21:00 BST on Wednesday. | |
| Fire-fighters remained at the scene into the early hours of Thursday. | |
| Further investigations are to be carried out into the cause of the fire. | Further investigations are to be carried out into the cause of the fire. |
| Badly damaged | |
| Mr Smith said: "There has been extensive damage to the roof of the main section of the building and also there was a fire within the building as well. It was heavily smoke-logged." | Mr Smith said: "There has been extensive damage to the roof of the main section of the building and also there was a fire within the building as well. It was heavily smoke-logged." |
| On Wednesday, police advised residents in the vicinity of St Peter's High School to remain indoors due to smoke coming from the building. | On Wednesday, police advised residents in the vicinity of St Peter's High School to remain indoors due to smoke coming from the building. |
| In July, the former school's canteen was badly damaged in what was also a suspected arson attack. | In July, the former school's canteen was badly damaged in what was also a suspected arson attack. |
| Derry Sinn Féin Councillor Kevin Campbell said it was crucial that "the school be demolished and the site cleared as soon as possible". | |
| "This is a large site and very hard to secure 24 hours a day and sadly has become a magnet for much anti-community activity in the area," Mr Campbell said. | |
| "Plans have been submitted for over 100 new homes in a social housing project on the site and it will be some way off before any plans become a reality." |