evidence found of second blaze‘dreadful’ consequences, says head
Police suspect foul play in Inverness High School fire
Published:
Police investigating a major fire at Inverness High School believe it may have been started deliberately, it emerged last night.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused after the blaze broke out in the main assembly hall on Wednesday night.
And the Press and Journal can reveal that emergency workers called to the scene discovered evidence of a second fire on the school campus earlier that evening.
Northern Constabulary’s area commander for Inverness, Chief Inspector Julian Innes, said investigating officers found there had been a fire under a temporary building used as part of the former dental unit.
He added: “We will treat the fire as suspicious until we have the full outcome of the joint investigation between the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service and ourselves.”
The main hall had recently undergone a £60,000 refurbishment and last night there were fears that a £20,000 grand piano may have been destroyed in the blaze.
Lessons for the school’s 463 pupils were cancelled yesterday and Inverness High will remain closed today.
It is expected to reopen on October 29 after the autumn holiday, but the hall could remain off-limits until at least the end of the year.
The fire was discovered by school janitor David Russell, 26, who was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. He went to lock up the hall after it was used by the Highland Schools Wind Orchestra until 9.15pm.
He said: “There was a smell of burning in the area which I put down to it being a cold night – there are lots of houses around here that still have coal fires.
“I went back into the school to get the keys to lock up the games hall and when I came back in it smelt like a strip- light had gone.
“I was investigating that when I saw smoke coming into the corridor.
“I walked around and could see more smoke and smell more burning.
“I opened the fire-exit door and was just met with all this smoke. There were flames and sparks coming out.”
Head teacher Ritchie Cunningham described the fire’s consequences as “dreadful”.
He said: “We have invested a lot of money in our assembly hall over the last year – and now it’s just all gone up in smoke.
“We had a £20,000 grand piano in there and have no idea what damage has been done to that.”
The refurbishment included new lighting, a projector and a sound system.
Mr Cunningham said staff would be unable to get into the hall to assess the damage until the investigation had been completed.
He added: “Fortunately all the classrooms don’t seem to have been directly affected.
“We will be able to begin cleaning up the corridors, which were affected by the smoke, once the investigation has ended.”
A woman whose home overlooks the school said: “I could smell burning. I could hear the sirens, but I could hardly see the school, just thick smoke.”
Last night local councillor Donnie Kerr, a former pupil of Inverness High School, said: “It’s devastating because I know a lot of investment has gone into having new equipment fitted.”
A fire crew from Inverness was at the scene within minutes, and was joined by five crews, including firefighters from Dingwall and Beauly.
The fire, which is believed to have started in the stage area, was put out by 12.22am and an investigation was launched soon afterwards.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area to contact them on 01463 715555 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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