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| Firefighters tackle school blaze | Firefighters tackle school blaze |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| About 50 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a new £9m school which is being built near Falkirk. | |
| The fire was discovered at the new Maddiston Primary building shortly before 0100 GMT on Wednesday. | The fire was discovered at the new Maddiston Primary building shortly before 0100 GMT on Wednesday. |
| The roof was well alight when fire crews arrived and the building was believed to be badly damaged. | The roof was well alight when fire crews arrived and the building was believed to be badly damaged. |
| Local MP Michael Connarty said it was a "tragedy" for the pupils, who had been looking forward to getting into their new school. | Local MP Michael Connarty said it was a "tragedy" for the pupils, who had been looking forward to getting into their new school. |
| He said the community had been campaigning for the school for about 15 years. | He said the community had been campaigning for the school for about 15 years. |
| The building was nearing completion. | The building was nearing completion. |
| "I was in the old school talking to the children just two weeks ago and they were so excited about going to the school," said the Labour MP. | |
| Reception area | |
| "It is a tragedy because it looks like the children are going to have to wait quite some time to get into their new school, if it can be saved at all," said Mr Connarty. | "It is a tragedy because it looks like the children are going to have to wait quite some time to get into their new school, if it can be saved at all," said Mr Connarty. |
| He said firefighters had told him that the blaze had affected the gymnasium and reception area and had caught hold in the roof space. | He said firefighters had told him that the blaze had affected the gymnasium and reception area and had caught hold in the roof space. |
| "They have now got 10 tenders there and two towers to try and save the teaching blocks and classrooms." | "They have now got 10 tenders there and two towers to try and save the teaching blocks and classrooms." |
| A spokesman for Central Scotland Fire and Rescue said: "It is too early to say how the fire started. | A spokesman for Central Scotland Fire and Rescue said: "It is too early to say how the fire started. |
| "Fire crews have managed to contain it to the central part of the building to prevent it spreading into classrooms. | "Fire crews have managed to contain it to the central part of the building to prevent it spreading into classrooms. |
| "This is a major incident and we will be there for some time." | "This is a major incident and we will be there for some time." |
| Fire crews are still on the scene trying to contain the blaze | |
| A spokesman for Falkirk Council said the existing Maddiston Primary School, which was due to be replaced, was closed for the day due to its proximity to the fire. | |
| Roads surrounding the school have also been closed. | |
| The new school, currently being built by Graham Construction, was scheduled to open in early 2008 with a projected capacity of 434. | |
| Gary Greenhorn, head of educational resources for Falkirk Council, said a meeting would be held with the contractors to discuss how to progress. | |
| He said: "The entire school and the local community are extremely sad at the damage that has been caused by the fire. | |
| "It is a major setback to our plans, however reconstruction will go ahead as a matter of priority." |