Dungannon school fire was arson, police say

A fire that destroyed eight mobile classrooms at a former school in Dungannon is being treated as arson, police have confirmed.

Firefighters were called to the old St Patrick's Academy building on Killymeal Road at 20:15 BST on Sunday.

More than 40 firefighters tackled the blaze and managed to stop it spreading to the main school building.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the "mindless act" had put firefighters' lives in danger.

'Opportunity'

Max Joyce, of NIFRS, said there was a large blaze when crews arrived and a smoke plume that could be seen "from many miles away".

The fire was brought under control shortly before 02:15 BST on Monday.

Mr Joyce said if the fire had not been contained "we would have been there for a very long time" and that indications pointed "towards deliberate ignition".

In July, the old Foyle College building in Londonderry was badly damaged in an arson attack.

"We often find that where there is derelict property, not secured or whatever, there is an opportunity for fire starting," Mr Joyce said.

"But what I'm saying to those people is that they need to think about the consequences - not only could they hurt themselves in setting the fire, but they could hurt members of the public or firefighters who are out there to serve their local community."

Nearby residents said they had received letters to say the building was about to be demolished via a controlled explosion.

St Patrick's is due to officially move into its new school building in September.

Police appealed for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the Killymeal Road area on Sunday or who has information about the arson attack, to contact detectives.