The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Teenagers in court over Viewforth High blaze.
B-listed Victorian building left in ruins after fire raged through it on Monday night
Two teenagers have appeared in court in connection with a major fire at a former Fife secondary school.
Their arrest came just four days after the old Viewforth High building in Kirkcaldy was destroyed in the devastating blaze.
Sarah Riggans, 18, from Leven, appeared in private at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court alongside a 17-year-old boy on a charge of wilful fireraising.
The boy cannot be named due to his age.
Neither made any plea yesterday afternoon and both were committed for further examination.
Riggans was released on bail, while the 17-year-old was remanded in custody.
He is expected to make a appearance within eight days.
A report relating to a 15-year-old boy, also though to have been involved, is second still under consideration and he did not appear in court.
The old B-listed Viewforth High building on Loughborough Road was left in ruins after Monday night’s massive fire.
Crews spent several hours at the school’s B-listed annexe, also known as Eastbank House, after smoke was spotted shortly after 5.30pm.
The roof collapsed a short time later and flames could be seen from as far as Kirkcaldy Esplanade.
The road between Aitken Street and Viewforth Gardens also had to be cordoned off to allow access for emergency vehicles, including a height appliance used to tackle the fire from above.
An investigation was launched by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and it was soon ascertained the fire was started deliberately.
The building, which dates to around 1870, was initially occupied by engineer and shipbuilder John Scott, but it has lain empty since the summer of 2016 when pupils and staff relocated to the new Windmill Campus in the north of Kirkcaldy.
Local councillor Ian Cameron said the building was an important part of the town’s history, adding: “We are trying to bring tourists to Kirkcaldy and connect Dysart with the Promenade and this is part of the town’s heritage.”
He said the roof was destroyed and two of the towers badly damaged.
We are trying to bring tourists to Kirkcaldy and connect Dysart with the Promenade and this is part of the town’s heritage. COUNCILLOR IAN CAMERON