This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7082362.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Firefighters tackle school blaze | Firefighters tackle school blaze |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| About 50 firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a new £9m school which is being built near Falkirk. | About 50 firefighters have been 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 about 30% of the building is believed to be damaged. | The roof was well alight when fire crews arrived and about 30% of the building is believed to be damaged. |
| The operation has led to the closure of the current Maddiston Primary which sits a short distance from the construction site. | The operation has led to the closure of the current Maddiston Primary which sits a short distance from the construction site. |
| Parents and teachers were alerted to the school's closure via phone and text message from the council. | Parents and teachers were alerted to the school's closure via phone and text message from the council. |
| Acting head teacher Helen Granville said: "We are devastated. There is such a strong sense of community in Maddiston and the school is at the heart of it. | Acting head teacher Helen Granville said: "We are devastated. There is such a strong sense of community in Maddiston and the school is at the heart of it. |
| "Everyone was looking forward to moving to the new school, however, the pupils will be back tomorrow and we hope that the delay won't be too long." | "Everyone was looking forward to moving to the new school, however, the pupils will be back tomorrow and we hope that the delay won't be too long." |
| The entire school and the local community are extremely sad at the damage that has been caused Gary Greenhorn,Falkirk Council official In pictures: School fire class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7083039.stm">Pupils devastated by blaze | |
| 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. |
| 'Major incident' | 'Major incident' |
| 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. | "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. |
| "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 are attempting to contain it to the central part of the building to prevent it spreading into classrooms. | "Fire crews are attempting 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." |
| The school is being built to hold more than 400 pupils | The school is being built to hold more than 400 pupils |
| Roads surrounding the site affected by the fire have been closed. | Roads surrounding the site affected by the fire have been closed. |
| The new school, currently being built by Graham Construction, was scheduled to open in early 2008 with a projected capacity of 434. | 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. | 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. | 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." | "It is a major setback to our plans, however reconstruction will go ahead as a matter of priority." |
| A spokesman for the building company said: "Graham Construction is aware of the incident at Maddiston Primary School this morning. | A spokesman for the building company said: "Graham Construction is aware of the incident at Maddiston Primary School this morning. |
| "The fire service and police are currently dealing with the matter. | "The fire service and police are currently dealing with the matter. |
| "At present the site is sealed off for safety and investigation purposes. | "At present the site is sealed off for safety and investigation purposes. |
| "Graham Construction are unable to make any further comment at this time." | "Graham Construction are unable to make any further comment at this time." |