The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
School fire ‘no surprise’ as pupils are sent elsewhere
Local people have said it was only a matter of time before Braeview Academy was set on fire.
The school was “extensively damaged” after a blaze took hold on Tuesday night, which lasted into the early hours of yesterday.
The school will be closed as the full extent of the damage is assessed.
It is believed the building may be salvaged but tests are still being carried out.
Police Scotland has appealed for witnesses who may have seen anything “suspicious” to come forward.
People who live nearby were not surprised the school caught fire, with many saying they have made numerous calls to the emergency services because of fires started in the nearby Middleton Woods – particularly in an area known locally as “Tarzan Hill”.
Isabel Mackenzie, who has lived in the Elms for 17 years, added: “There have been a lot of deliberate fires in the area and they are putting the houses at risk. We were lucky the wind was blowing away from us.
“I’ve had it up to my fence in the past and had to put it out myself.
“I’ve had to call the fire service so many times that I wasn’t surprised when I saw the lights. I was surprised when I heard it was the school, but it was only a matter of time.”
Ali Henderson, who lives in Ballumbie Gardens, said: “I could see the fire from upstairs. It was quite horrific. If the winds had been what it was like the night before it could have come precariously close to our house.
“I am glad that no one was injured. There’s been a lot of fires in the area.”
Dundee City Council was in discussions “within hours” of the fire to draw up a contingency plan for the Braeview’s 570 pupils. They will be sent to other schools in the meantime.
A council spokesman said: “We are working hard to create a bespoke timetable for the coming weeks, using other school accommodation in the city.
“Putting that in place will take some time and unfortunately means Braeview pupils will remain at home this week and into next.”
Inspector Chris Boath of Police Scotland, said: “The building was extensively damaged and inquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.”