YOUNGSTERS ON BLAZE CHARGES

Council fury after latest scare

Two boys aged just 11 and 12 have been charged with wilful fire-raising after a fire caused “significant” damage at a Coatbridge school.

The blaze tore through an upstairs storeroom at St Monica’s Primary in Kirkwood on Sunday evening and water from a fire-damaged tank soaked through to a classroom below.

The building – fortunately empty at the time of the fire – will now have to be dehumidified but the council have moved to ease worried parents by saying the school will be “fully operational” for pupils returning after the holidays.

The shocking revelation that police have charged two young boys over the incident comes just weeks after boys aged 12 to 14 were among heartless yobs who caused thousands of pounds of damage to the Glen playpark in Whinhall by setting fire to swings.

A 16-year-old was also reported to the

procurator fiscal days after the Whinhall blaze in connection with the “senseless destruction” that saw the award-winning West End Park parkour facility in Coatbridge go up in flames.

Outraged North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue told the Advertiser: “Yet again we see another mindless attack on our schools which puts additional cost pressures on our education budgets as well as potentially putting lives at risk.

“The fire appears to have been started deliberately and we are grateful to the police and fire service for their swift and professional response. Although there does not seem to be extensive fire damage, we are concerned that there could be quite significant water damage.

“I’d strongly urge anyone with information to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible.”

Inspector Louise Brownlie, of Coatbridge police, said: “At about 6.13pm on July 17, police and the fire service responded to an ongoing fire at St Monica’s Primary School.

“As a result of initial police enquiries, two male youths aged 12 and 11 have been charged in relation to this wilful fire-raising.”

Inspector Brownlie added: “While the schools are closed for the summer period, people should not enter the area of school grounds without permission.

“Any person found vandalising or committing disorder within the schools during this period of time will be reported accordingly.

“We also encourage parents to be mindful of such crimes and advise their children accordingly.”

● To report any information relating to the St Monica’s Primary fire, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Yet again we see another mindless attack on our schools

Burnt-out The storeroom at St Monica’s

Outrage The Advertiser reports other recent fire attacks by youths

Significant damage St Monica’s Primary was targeted by firebugs last weekend

Clean-up Pupils’ books had to be boxed away