Teenage boy is charged over Braeview blaze

15-year-old has been referred to Youth Justice Assessor as probe continues

A 15-year-old boy has been charged in connection with a devastating fire which tore through Braeview Academy.

The fire ravaged much of the school on the evening of Tuesday September 11, with flames reportedly reaching up to 40 feet in the air.

Nobody was injured but the school has been closed ever since and pupils sent to Craigie High and the new Baldragon Academy in the meantime.

The teenager charged has been referred to the Youth Justice Assessor and police inquiries are ongoing.

Local area commander Chief Inspector Nicola Russell said the force “will not tolerate” fireraising.

She said: “The majority of young people in the city never come to the attention of the police, but unfortunately there is a minority that get involved in anti-social behaviour or disorder.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and Police Scotland will continue to work with our fellow emergency services and partner agencies to prevent this type of behaviour occurring in the first instance.

“I would encourage residents and businesses to report any anti-social behaviour or disorder to Police Scotland on 101 and anyone found to be responsible will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.”

It is hoped some of the 570 pupils may be able to return to the school at some point this month after it was revealed the damage to the building is not as bad as first feared.

Immediately after the fire the local community rallied to help youngsters at the school.

Dundee United FC let youths take part in a football training week, while Dundee FC gave 50 free tickets to the weekend’s home match against Hibs.

Douglas Sports Centre offered youngsters time to play tennis, Olympia swimming pool gave pupils free entry during school hours, and the newlyopened “Xtreme Air Sports” centre Ryze hosted around 60 pupils.

The council has said it has £1 million available to help with costs associated with the fire.

Locals who live nearby to the school say they were not surprised by the fire.

Many spoke of a high number of deliberate blazes in the area with high winds blowing flames towards houses and other buildings.

Just as the city was reeling from the news, another fire engulfed Hilltown Indoor Market and the adjacent Fit4less gym.

Just days before the school fire, several sheep and horses died in a blaze in the grounds of Balmydown Farm close to Strathmartine, north of Dundee.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. The blaze ravaged much of the school on the evening of Tuesday, September 11.