Vandals torch summerhouse in city primary
AN outdoor education facility at a Glasgow primary school has been torched by firebugs.
Locals spotted the blaze at Carmunnock Primary School on Monday night when one of the outbuildings went up in flames.
Fire crews raced to the scene where they discovered the school’s summer house had gone on fire.
The facility is used for a range of outdoor activities by school children of all ages, and was an important part of the campus.
It has been completely destroyed by the blaze, which started just after 6pm.
Locals contacted the fire service on Monday night and watched in horror as the building continued to s moke and smoulder.
Many feared the flames would spread to nearby houses, causing damage to homes on Waterside Gardens.
However, fire crews arrived within minutes and worked to extinguish the blaze, which started around 6.15pm.
Police officers were notified but a spokeswoman said they were not investi- gating the incident.
Carmunnock residents took to social media to share their disappointment at the incident.
Laura Moir said: “We saw the smoke as we were coming down from the Braes, but by the time we passed the fire was out.
“My boys were very sad for the pupils of the school. Could have been much worse.
“Especially if the wind had been blowing in a different direction.”
Rhona Young added: “Such a lovely wee building. At least no-one was hurt.”
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council’s education services said the fire would not impact the return to school after the Easter break next Tuesday, but added the summer house had been “completely destroyed”.
She said staff would be “going to asses the damage and debris” and added: “It won’t have an impact on the school kids coming back.”
The summer house was used by for projects, outside play and at Christmas time it was even used for visits by Mrs Claus.
In 2014 community safety Glasgow helped to paint the venue, and the local parent council fundraised to help equip it.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 6.12pm on Monday, April 10, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to reports of a fire within school grounds on Waterside Road, Carmunnock.
“One appliance was mobilised and the crew extinguished the fire using a high power hose.
“Firefighters left the scene after ensuring it had been made safe.”