Appeal after suspected arson at school library

Police are appealing for witnesses after a vacant school library went up in flames – causing an estimated £100,000 in damage.
The Josephine Butler Campus at Ashington.The Josephine Butler Campus at Ashington.
The Josephine Butler Campus at Ashington.

Emergency crews were called to Josephine Butler Academy on Ashington’s Academy Road shortly before 2pm on Friday, July 10, responding to a fire at the academy’s disused library site.

Detective Inspector Kelly French of Northumbria Police said: “This was the third fire in as many days at the site and it is currently being treated as malicious.

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“This fire devastated the building, causing around £100,000 of damage and the building is likely beyond repair and will need to be pulled down.”

She added: “We are currently conducting a number of enquiries and reviewing CCTV.

“We urge anyone who may know anything about the fire to come forward – either speaking directly to police or through Crimestoppers.”

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or has any information which may help officers is asked to contact police using reference number 557 10/07/20 or by emailing the leading officer on [email protected].

Alternatively you can report via he independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.