Derby school fires: Building 'deliberately targeted' by arsonists

A fire which destroyed parts of a school was started deliberately, investigators have found.

Derbyshire Fire Service said the blaze, which destroyed a building at Ravensdale Infant School in Derby on Monday, was arson.

Fire also destroyed parts of St Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy in the same city on Saturday but the cause is not yet known.

Police said they have "not ruled out" a link between the two fires.

Gavin Tomlinson, chief fire officer, said: "There was more than one seat of fire at Ravensdale Infant School.

"Someone has targeted the school and set it on fire with devastating consequences."

Mr Tomlinson added: "[At St Mary's] the cause is undeterminable at this moment because of the extent of the damage."

Derbyshire Police are investigating the circumstances of the Ravensdale blaze.

Supt Sarah McAughtrie said: "While there is no evidential link between the two incidents, this has not been ruled out."

Earlier Mr Tomlinson said it was "heartbreaking" to see the devastation caused to the two schools - neither of which had sprinklers systems.

NFCC chair Roy Wilsher said: "All new schools - and those undergoing refurbishment - should have automatic fire suppression systems fitted.

"Sprinklers in schools is clearly a move in the right direction."

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "Where sprinklers are considered necessary to protect pupils and staff, they must be installed."

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