Two primary schools earmarked for new fire alarm systems

At least two Fife primary schools will have new fire alarms systems fitted this year – just months after the blaze which destroyed part of Cairneyhill Primary School.

Fife Council has confirmed system upgrades will be carried out at Caskieberran in Glenrothes and Balcurvie in Windygates in the coming weeks.

The authority says the work is not a direct response to the fire which swept through Cairneyhill on December 8.

The west Fife school’s infant building has been demolished following the incident.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was caused by a fault in the building’s electrical system.

Unions have since raised concerns about fire safety arrangements across the school estate after it emerged that the fire was only discovered after a security alarm, and not the break glass fire alarm panel, was activated.

Around 200 pupils and staff were safely evacuated to a nearby church while firefighters brought the fire under control.

The staff and pupils are now being accommodated elsewhere in the region. The aim is for them to return to Cairneyhill in April.

Fife Council has stressed the planned work at Caskieberran and Balcurvie forms part of a maintenance programme planned last spring, and is unrelated to the Cairneyhill fire.

A spokesman said: “As systems come to the end of their lifespan, they are replaced, which is what’s happening here.”

Fire alarm system types are dependant on when a building was built, as new builds have tighter controls and layout.”