Menu
20/07/2009
School Gets New Home As Blaze Probed
As the education authorities agreed today to a plan to accommodate hundreds of pupils whose school was destroyed by a weekend fire, a PSNI probe into suspected arson has begun.
It happened on Saturday, at Whitehouse Primary School – at the bottom of the Doagh Road in Newtownabbey - and was discovered shortly after 2.30am.
Those tackling the fire saw that a number of different areas of the school were alight, leading to suspicions the fire had been set.
Nearby homes had to be evacuated for a time as strong winds fanned flames towards the properties and a local funeral parlour.
Seventy firefighters and more than 20 appliances were tasked to deal with the outbreak - which still saw the school being almost completely destroyed.
However, by lunchtime on Monday - less than two days after the fire - all 350 students from the primary school were being offered classrooms in a nearby school.
The Whitehouse pupils will be hosted in a vacant wing of nearby Newtownabbey Community High School from next term.
The plan to accommodate them was agreed at a meeting today between representatives of both schools and senior officials of the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
Meanwhile, last week's blaze at the derelict La Salle Boys' School on the Glen Road in west Belfast – which was reported to police at 9.30pm on Thursday – is also being treated as suspicious, police have said.
The PSNI have appealed for anyone who noticed any unusual activity around the derelict property to contact them.
Fire crews have also been busy elsewhere across Northern Ireland this past weekend.
Most recently, they were called to a fire at a recycling facility on the Benburb Road in Moy, Co Armagh, on Sunday where a 200m exclusion zone and road closures were put in place.
An investigation into the cause has since been launched after crews found a shed on the premises was alight.
Two gas cylinders were removed and submerged in water to cool them down.
(BMcC/KMcA)
It happened on Saturday, at Whitehouse Primary School – at the bottom of the Doagh Road in Newtownabbey - and was discovered shortly after 2.30am.
Those tackling the fire saw that a number of different areas of the school were alight, leading to suspicions the fire had been set.
Nearby homes had to be evacuated for a time as strong winds fanned flames towards the properties and a local funeral parlour.
Seventy firefighters and more than 20 appliances were tasked to deal with the outbreak - which still saw the school being almost completely destroyed.
However, by lunchtime on Monday - less than two days after the fire - all 350 students from the primary school were being offered classrooms in a nearby school.
The Whitehouse pupils will be hosted in a vacant wing of nearby Newtownabbey Community High School from next term.
The plan to accommodate them was agreed at a meeting today between representatives of both schools and senior officials of the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
Meanwhile, last week's blaze at the derelict La Salle Boys' School on the Glen Road in west Belfast – which was reported to police at 9.30pm on Thursday – is also being treated as suspicious, police have said.
The PSNI have appealed for anyone who noticed any unusual activity around the derelict property to contact them.
Fire crews have also been busy elsewhere across Northern Ireland this past weekend.
Most recently, they were called to a fire at a recycling facility on the Benburb Road in Moy, Co Armagh, on Sunday where a 200m exclusion zone and road closures were put in place.
An investigation into the cause has since been launched after crews found a shed on the premises was alight.
Two gas cylinders were removed and submerged in water to cool them down.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
29 July 2009
Latest School Fire Probed
Vandals have again set fire to a school in north Belfast. The PSNI are investigating after the canteen at Stella Maris School on the Shore Road was attacked overnight. It was also found that paint had been thrown over the building when the blaze was discovered at 2am on Wednesday.
Latest School Fire Probed
Vandals have again set fire to a school in north Belfast. The PSNI are investigating after the canteen at Stella Maris School on the Shore Road was attacked overnight. It was also found that paint had been thrown over the building when the blaze was discovered at 2am on Wednesday.
21 October 2022
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
£5.5m School Holiday Food Grant Announced
The families of children entitled to free school meals will receive a school holiday food grant until March 2023, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.
11 August 2016
Fire At L'Derry Primary School Being Treated As Suspicious
A fire at a L'Derry primary school is believed to have been started deliberately. The fire at the Good Shepherd Primary School, in the Waterside area of the city, was reported shortly before 8pm on Wednesay night, 10 August.
Fire At L'Derry Primary School Being Treated As Suspicious
A fire at a L'Derry primary school is believed to have been started deliberately. The fire at the Good Shepherd Primary School, in the Waterside area of the city, was reported shortly before 8pm on Wednesay night, 10 August.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
