Warning to young arsonists

1:11pm Wednesday 30th January 2008

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FIREFIGHTERS are warning youths who keep setting fire to dangerous building rubble that they are risking their lives.

Crews from Farnworth Fire Station were called to the former site of Cherry Tree Primary School at 7.30pm on Monday.

A sealed skip of building waste, including asbestos, was set on fire at the demolition site in Highfield Road. The substance was so dangerous that firefighters had to tackle the blaze from a distance, and spent nearly two hours at the scene.

It is thought youths broke into the site and started the fire.

Farnworth crew commander Richard Mortimer said: "This is not the first time we've been called to the site. I would urge the youngsters involved to stop breaking in - it's very dangerous. They are risking their safety and their health."

The building is being demolished after Cherry Tree Primary School merged with Green Fold special school. The two schools, now known as The Orchards, have moved into a new building on Cherry Tree's old playing fields.

Building company Bardsley Construction was contracted by the council to build the new school and demolish the old one to create a recreational area for pupils.

A spokesman for the company said: "We have had persistent problems with attempted break-ins and as a result we have enlisted 24-hour security.

"The fire brigade were in attendance yesterday evening to deal with a fire started in a skip, which had been secured according to safety procedures. Our own health and safety personnel are now working in conjunction with the fire brigade to help with their investigations."