Boy, 16, arrested after suspected arson at Catholic school favoured by political elite
A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire at an “outstanding” state school in west London.
Ten fire engines and more than 70 firefighters were called to the blaze at the London Oratory School on Seagrove Road in Fulham at around 10am yesterday morning.
The crews took nearly two hours to get the fire under control in the atrium of a four-storey building.
Police said that at around 11.15am a 16-year-old boy was arrested and taken into custody. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There are not believed to have been any injuries.
The London Oratory School is a Roman Catholic boys’ school, which is rated “outstanding” by Ofsted.
Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair and former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg both sent their sons there. Alumni also include actor Simon Callow and trade unionist Mick Whelan.
The school, which is a short distance from the Chelsea stadium, Stamford Bridge, has around 1,400 pupils between the ages of seven and 18, and admits girls in the sixth form.
Earlier this year, Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, said there was fierce competition for places at the school.
“Places are at a premium,” she told The Property Exchange podcast. “You either need to be a regular church goer or need to live very close. If you can get that golden ticket, undoubtedly you’re on to a winner.”
A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade, speaking to reporters at the scene on Wednesday, said: “London Fire Brigade were called to a fire at the London Oratory School.
“It was an automatic fire alarm and we got called at 10.11 this morning. The crews worked extremely hard and got the fire under control at 11.47.”
He added: “At the moment the fire is under investigation by the fire brigade and the Metropolitan Police.
“The fire was on the fourth floor, in the atrium. I don’t know if the library was affected. There is an amount of water damage.”
The spokesman said that at this stage no teachers had been interviewed as part of the investigation.
A Met spokesman said: “The cause of the fire is under investigation. A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and taken into custody.”