Arson-hit school’s demolition urged over asbestos fear

THERE have been calls for a Londonderry school which was this week targeted for the third time by arsonists to be demolished, due to fears over deadly asbestos.

Fire-fighters tackled a blaze at the disused Ebrington Primary School site in the city’s Waterside on Monday night, just weeks after two deliberate fires ripped through the building.

The Education Authority has confirmed there is asbestos in floor tiles at the school and fire chiefs have warned that if flames reach them, the deadly substance will escape into the air.

Speaking after the fire, in which one of his fire-fighters was injured and needed stitches to his arm, NIFRS Group Commander Fergal Leonard said arsonists were putting lives in danger.

“Asbestos itself is not a hazard unless it is broken up or involved in fire. That is where it becomes dangerous. The people who are setting these fires are putting the community at risk. If that goes into the atmosphere, then that becomes a public health issue.”

Asbestos is a term for a group of minerals made of microscopic fibres. Before its dangers were known, asbestos was often used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing and sprayed on ceilings and walls. It is now banned in the UK. Buildings constructed before the year 2000 may still have asbestos in them. Asbestos is known to cause, among other things, pleural disease, asbestosis and two forms of lung cancer.

The DUP’s David Ramsey said there are now real fears within the community over the dangers and has called on the Education Authority to demolish the building immediately.

A spokesperson for the Education Authority, said that it intends “to dispose of the site in line with Land and Property Service guidance as it is surplus to requirement and continues to work towards a potential sale”.

“At this stage a sale is achievable in the 2019/20 financial year,” said a spokesperson. “The Asbestos Management Survey conducted by Education Authority has confirmed that floor tiles in the building comprise of asbestos containing materials, however this will not prevent the building being secured externally and will be managed accordingly.”