Londonderry: Concerns raised after arson at school site

There are concerns about antisocial behaviour at the former school site

People living near a derelict school in Londonderry have raised safety concerns following another arson attack.

Firefighters attended the fire at the old Faughan Valley High School on Monday night.

Nearby residents had for a time been told to keep doors and windows shut because of asbestos in the building.

Andrew Russell, of Drumahoe Residents Association, said antisocial behaviour was commonplace at the site and getting worse.

"It's an absolute nightmare for residents living around that site," he said.

The Northern Ireland Fire Rescue Service (NIFRS) confirmed that the fire was being treated as arson.

The Education Authority (EA), which owns the site, said the former school had been declared "surplus to requirements" and a "disposal process" was currently under way.

"The EA Maintenance Service will undertake to re-secure the site in the interim period," a spokesperson said.

Faughan Valley High School amalgamated with Clondermot High School in 2004 to form Lisneal College.

Mr Russell said antisocial behaviour has been increasing at the old school in recent years.

"The school has been closed for 20 years. Really only in the last six or seven years this antisocial behaviour has come to the fore."

He said the site was now completely overgrown, windows have been smashed, and a hoarding designed to secure the site temporarily was torn away.

He said young people were on the site on "a nightly basis" and nearby residents were growing increasingly concerned.

The Riverside Stadium in Drumahoe, the former home ground of Institute FC, has been unused since 2017

Monday's fire is the second fire in Drumahoe in the last week.

A fire at the Riverside Stadium, the former home ground of Institute FC, on 27 October is believed to have been started deliberately.

Mr Russell, the club's vice-chairman, urged those responsible to "think of the destruction they are causing".

He said local people were also concerned that those responsible are putting themselves at risk of injury or serious harm.

Police have asked anyone with information about the fires to come forward.