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Five in custody after school fire | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Five people are in police custody after a suspicious fire that caused serious damage to a primary school. | |
The blaze at Mary Immaculate School in the Merlins Hill area of Haverfordwest began at about 2020 GMT on Tuesday and badly damaged the old school hall. | |
The school, which has about 200 pupils aged between three and 11, will remain closed until at least Friday. | |
No-one was injured in the blaze, which needed four Mid and West Wales Fire Service crews to bring under control. | No-one was injured in the blaze, which needed four Mid and West Wales Fire Service crews to bring under control. |
The blaze, described as serious by the fire service, caused extensive damage to the school's main building. | |
Acting Inspector Shane Williams of Dyfed-Powys Police said the cause of the blaze had still to be identified. | |
There is quite a lot of devastation Head teacher Patrick Mansfield | |
"We are treating it as suspicious - five people are in custody at Haverfordwest police station helping with inquiries." | |
No further details have been released about the identity of those in custody. | |
Head teacher Patrick Mansfield said: "There is quite a lot of devastation - the school hall has been destroyed and there is severe smoke damage to one of the classrooms. | Head teacher Patrick Mansfield said: "There is quite a lot of devastation - the school hall has been destroyed and there is severe smoke damage to one of the classrooms. |
"The school library and IT suite have also been severely affected by smoke so there is quite a lot to do." | "The school library and IT suite have also been severely affected by smoke so there is quite a lot to do." |
Witness appeal | Witness appeal |
The school will remain closed on Thursday. Details will be published on the county council's website when it will reopen. | |
Mr Mansfield added: "We have had several offers of alternative accommodation." | Mr Mansfield added: "We have had several offers of alternative accommodation." |
Memorabilia and pupils' work was also destroyed, along with PE equipment and the school's musical instruments. | Memorabilia and pupils' work was also destroyed, along with PE equipment and the school's musical instruments. |
A new school building is currently under construction at the Roman Catholic school. | A new school building is currently under construction at the Roman Catholic school. |
Police have appealed for witnesses. |