Teenage boy arrested after blaze at London school popular with politicians

27 December 2023 , 12:10

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Teenage boy arrested after blaze at London school popular with politicians

A teenage boy has been arrested after a huge fire has broke out at a school this morning with around 70 firefighters and 10 fire engines racing to the scene in Fulham, West London.

London Fire Brigade said an atrium was alight in the four-storey building at the London Oratory School, popular among some politicians for educating their children. It is a Catholic comprehensive secondary school for boys aged seven to 18 and girls aged 16 to 18. As it is outside of term time, it is unlikely that many people will have been in the building.

The Metropolitan Police later revealed a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson after the fire, having been apprehended at around 11.15am and taken into custody. The fire was subsequently brought under control and no injuries have been reported, the London Fire Brigade said.

The school’s alumni include actor Simon Callow, trade unionist Mick Whelan as well as the children of the former prime minister Sir Tony Blair, children of Harriet Harman and former deputy prime minister, Sir Nick Clegg.

A nearby shopping centre and some homes were evacuated as a precaution, the Met Police confirmed. In an earlier statement a spokesman said: "Police are at the scene of a fire at a school in Seagrave Road SW6. Officers responded with London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade.

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"The cause of the fire is currently unknown and will be investigated. A nearby shopping centre and some residential addresses have been evacuated as a precaution. Road closures are in place. Please avoid the area at this time."

Firefighters are at the school fire (PA)

London Ambulance Service posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to say: "We have an incident response officer and hazardous area response team on standby at the fire in Fulham. Please avoid the area if possible and close your windows if you live nearby."

Kelly-Ann Mills