Car crash blaze causes £250,000 of damage to school

A stolen car which ignited after crashing in school grounds in the North has caused an estimated £250,000-worth of damage, the school officials said today.

A block of classrooms at St Anne’s Primary School in Dunmurry, on the outskirts of Belfast has been destroyed by the blaze which broke out overnight.

Jim Tiernan, principal of the school, which is one of the largest in the UK, said around 120 primary pupils used the building.

‘‘Three of the classrooms have been burnt to ash,’’ he said.

‘‘The devastating part of that is all the equipment has gone. The children’s records and profiles have been burnt after six and seven years in the school.’’

Police have launched an investigation into the incident, which began when a Ford Fiesta stolen from Brook Park in the Twinbrook estate in west Belfast ploughed into the school grounds.

A fire which broke out in the vehicle then spread to the building.

Meanwhile, an animal processing unit in a Co Tyrone haulage yard has been badly damaged by fire.

Up to 12 fire engines and more than 50 crew were needed to bring the blaze at Tamnamore Road, Dungannon under control.

Divisional Officer Martin Clarke said around 200 tonnes of straw, 220 tonnes of animal feed and machinery had all been set alight.