London Oratory School: Boy denies arson with intent to endanger life

No-one was injured in the fire at the school, which is a short distance from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium

A 16-year-old boy accused of starting a fire at the London Oratory School has denied a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

At Highbury Corner Youth Court, he also pleaded not guilty to assaulting a police officer and having a fake ID.

About 100 firefighters attended the blaze at the Catholic school in Fulham, west London, on Wednesday morning.

An atrium in a four-storey building at the school caught light in the alleged arson attack. No-one was injured.

Firefighters were called out at about 10:00 GMT and had the blaze under control by 11:47. A nearby shopping centre and some residential properties were evacuated as a precaution.

The defendant, from Wandsworth, was reportedly identified in the street at about 11:30 and taken to a police station, where he allegedly committed the assault on the police officer. The boy cannot be named because of his age.

The teenager, who attended court with his parents and siblings, was bailed to the family home and ordered not to leave it unless accompanied by one of his immediate family members.

The defendant, who was also banned from entering the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, is due to appear at Wimbledon Youth Court on 23 January.

The London Oratory School's alumni include actor Simon Callow, trade unionist Mick Whelan, as well as the children of the former prime minister Sir Tony Blair and former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg.

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