Staff at a nursery, severely damaged in a fire, have said they are “shocked and saddened” at its “senseless destruction”, with police revealing the “fire is being treated as suspicious”.
Credit: Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service
Six fire engines from Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service battled the blaze at the nursery at Highfield Priory School in Fulwood Row, Preston, on the evening of Saturday 15 October and through the night.
Firefighters arrived at the nursery just before 7pm on 15 October and used four jets, two hose reels, the aerial ladder platform, two breathing apparatus and bolt croppers to extinguish the fire.
Firefighters did not leave the nursery until 2.37pm on Sunday 16 October.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “At this stage, the fire is being treated as suspicious. No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.
“No one was in the nursery building at the time of the fire and there were no casualties.”
The nursery released a statement saying: ‘The Highfield community is shocked and saddened by the senseless destruction of its Nursery building. The Nursery School will move into the main school building for the foreseeable future and the School and Nursery will be open as normal on Monday morning.
‘Mr Duke would like to thank the Preston community for its kindness and generosity, with offers of books and toys for the children. He would also like to thank the emergency services who worked so tirelessly to bring the fire under control on Saturday night and to make the site safe for the children by Monday morning.’
A parent thanked the school for acting so swiftly and setting up a temporary nursery in the main building at Highfield Priory School, saying: “Such horrific news that really hit hard over the weekend.
"Can we thank the staff from the bottom of our hearts for the amazing lengths they’ve gone to, to make the temporary nursery room so amazing and welcoming this morning. And for wearing such brave faces under such upsetting circumstances.
"Our youngest was a lockdown baby and any change unsettled her easily but the warm welcome of the familiar faces at the door this morning and allowing us to take her to the room really helped. she went in, slightly more timid than usual but no tears."
Officers have now arrested four 14-year-old boys in connection with the investigation, on suspicion of criminal damage – arson not endangering life. They have been released on bail.
Detective inspector George Binns, of Preston CID, said: "While we have made a number of arrests, our investigation is very much ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or anyone who has information which could assist our enquiries to get in touch.”