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14 year old charged over school fire
26 August 2019, 18:38
A teenage boy has been charged after more than 80 firefighters worked overnight battling a "suspicious" blaze at a high school in Fife.
Fifteen fire appliances attended the "large and complex" incident at Woodmill High School in Dunfermline, along with two height appliances,
after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was called at 5.05pm on Sunday.
Crews remained on the scene well into Monday as the flames spread through the building.
The school, located about 20 miles north-west of Edinburgh, announced it would be closed to all pupils until at least the end of the week.
The entire additional support unit at has been destroyed.
Police Scotland said a 14-year-old boy has now been arrested in connection with the blaze, which it is treating as suspicious.
He is due to appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
A message on the school's Twitter account by rector Sandy McIntosh said: "We are all utterly devastated by what has happened to our
school.
"I will be meeting with our teachers and school staff this morning, along with staff from the Education Service and wider Fife Council to put
in place plans for our young people.
"My heartfelt thanks go to the emergency services for all they have done to save our school.
"Updates will be provided to our parents through groupcall as soon as we have more information. School closure information will be updated
on Fifedirect.org.uk."
Deputy First Minister John Swinney also said: "Terribly sorry with the news @WoodmillHigh. @scotgov has been in contact with @FifeCouncil
and will discuss next steps. Good wishes to all in the school community at this tough time."
David Alexander and David Ross, co-leaders of Fife Council, said: "This is a very sad day for Dunfermline and Fife and the school community
of Woodmill High School are understandably devastated.
"It is too soon to say how badly damaged the school is, or how long it will need to remain closed.
"We'd like to reassure our pupils and their families that it is an absolute priority for us to get them back in school as soon as possible.
"We'd like to thank the firefighters from SFRS for their tireless work to bring the fire under control last night and all morning.
"We are so grateful to them for their dedication. Thanks also to Police Scotland officers who have also worked through the night to keep
everyone safe.
"Thankfully no-one has been injured but our thoughts are with the staff, pupils and families as they come to terms with what has
happened."
No casualties have been reported.
