Gardaí suspect foul play in school fire

Gardaí believe the blaze at St Mary's girls' primary school in Mallow today may have been started deliberately with rubbish set on fire next to the rear door.

Six rooms, including three classrooms, were destroyed in the fire and alternative accommodation will have to be found for around 180 young pupils.

The flames spread to the main building, and ignited a gas main that exploded.

Mallow Mayor Jerry Mullally said it was not the first time the school was targeted.

"There have been a number of events at the school in recent weeks, including a break in, but whether this is linked, I don't know," he said.

"All indications suggest that this was a mindless act of vandalism.

"The school is in a built up area so somebody must have seen something.

"Anybody who knows anything about it should give any assistance possible to gardaí in the locality."

Mr Mullally said the Health and Safety Authority was due to visit the site this afternoon, adding that the building needed a lot of repair.

"A number of classrooms have been destroyed," he continued.

"There is smoke and water damage and the power supply has been cut off.

"It is a major set back for the teachers and parents association who have put a lot of effort in to improving facilities there for the school children.

"It will be closed for some time."