Coed Eva school fire: Cwmbran site to reopen on Monday

A primary school in Torfaen badly damaged by fire is set to welcome back pupils on Monday.

The blaze broke out at Coed Eva Primary School, in Cwmbran, at about 02:25 GMT on New Year's Day, destroying the infants and nursery buildings.

School staff say pupils will now return on 11 January, though nursery children will have to wait until 25 January.

Six people, including four teenage boys, have been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

Head teacher Gill Ellis said: "The school continues to be a hive of activity with school staff, council officers and contractors working feverishly to get pupils back in class on Monday.

"School staff are still writing inventories of all the equipment destroyed in the infants building. Resources are being ordered daily and will be delivered to the school as soon as possible.

"I understand this has been exceptionally disruptive and distressing for parents as well as pupils and I must thank everyone for their understanding and patience over the past week."

A generator has provided power to the junior school building while a trench is dug to restore the mains connection.

Torfaen council's executive member for education, David Yeowell, said arrangements for demolishing the damaged building were "in hand", adding that temporary classrooms are being delivered next Friday with the groundwork "well underway".

The school has said it would inform parents via the school website and text with the arrangements for all pupils returning.