Pupils to be taught at police college after school blaze
Siew Peng Lee • Published 2 Sep 2010 07:25
1 Comment
PUPILS at blaze-hit Tulliallan Primary School will be taught at the Scottish Police College and the village community centre as authorities carry out a check on a possible asbestos outbreak in the wake of Monday’s fire.
The fire destroyed part of the school in the early hours of Monday, causing a possible asbestos outbreak. Fife Fire and Rescue were called out at 2.41am after being alerted by the police, who had responded after the fire set off the school’s burglar alarm.
Five crews raced to the scene along with a decontamination unit due to the possible presence of asbestos.
Early reports suggest the fire caused extensive smoke damage but no classrooms suffered fire damage.
Fife Council announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the school will be closed for the time being until a detailed investigation, clean-up and repair have been carried out.
This will include assessment and management of the asbestos outbreak.
The council also confirmed that the Scottish Police College is one of two venues where Tulliallan pupils will continue lessons starting Monday.
From 6th September, kids in Primaries 4, 5 and 6 will be going to the police college, while children from the nursery class through to Primaries 3 and 7 will be taught at Kincardine Community Centre.
Donna Manson, area education officer, said, “We have assessed both buildings (on Tuesday) for their suitability and we are confident that, following a few minor adjustments, they will be fit for purpose by Monday morning.
“The school will have access to breakout space at the community centre and the college and will also have the use of playing fields at the college.
“I’m fully confident that the curriculum can be delivered from both buildings in the short term. I’d like to thank (head teacher) Elspeth Gow and her staff for their positive response in the face of such an upset as well as staff from across council services who have stepped in to help reopen the school.
“Special thanks need to go to the Kincardine Community Association Group and the Scottish Police College for their generosity in sharing their facilities.”
Chief Inspector Alan Porte, of the Scottish Police College, added, “The Scottish Police College have had an excellent relationship with the community in Kincardine for a number of years.
“We are delighted to be able to help the staff and pupils of Tulliallan Primary School to continue to have lessons within the local area.”
A special assembly for children will be held tomorrow (Friday) at 11am at Kincardine Community Centre.
A public information meeting for parents and community members will be held at the same time at the community centre, where they will be given further details on arrangements made for Monday’s return to school.
Letters were personally delivered to all families on Tuesday informing them of the current situation.
Parents, elected members and the local community will be kept up to date with any new developments when they arise.
The fire, in an external wall cavity, was put out but two fire engines and the decontamination unit stayed on site until after 9am to cut away affected areas and ensure that no other fires developed.
Brian Anderson, Fife Fire and Rescue temporary group manager, told the Press, “There was quite a bit of damage but there’s not a lot of damage to the inside of the school.
“We had to cut away an area about five metres wide from ground level to the roof and break through asbestos sheeting, which is in the walls of the building, as part of the investigation.
“The building’s timber-framed, it’s not made of bricks, and with the fire having got into the fabric of the building we had to open up areas of the wall and foundations to make sure it had not spread.
“It’s looks to me like the fire began a long time before the call came - it looks like it had been smouldering for a few hours.
"The police attended when it set off the burglar alarm and discovered the fire.”
The cause of the fire is still being investigated and the police are appealing for anyone who knew anything to come forward.
Detective Constable Darren Stewart, who is leading the investigation, said, “The fire has resulted in the school being closed whilst it is made safe and a thorough investigation carried out.
"This will obviously have an impact on the local community and we would appeal to them for any information, which would assist in establishing the cause of the fire, by contacting the police on 0845 600 5702 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 30 Aug 10
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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No faith
Unregistered User
Aug 31, 21:05
Report commentIf james Mckinstry's in charge he'll send y'all back in with face masks with a copy of the asbestos register. Do not trust a word of it. He's the one that thinks it's fine for 4 year olds to be unsupervised in the school playground.
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