A fire at the vacant site of one of Derry’s oldest schools last night was started deliberately, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has said.
Two fire crews from Northland Road station, and one from Crescent Link in the Waterside, responded to the blaze at the former Thornhill College in the Culmore area of the city shortly before 6.30pm.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Rescue Service said firefighters dealt with a fire in a small wooden structure on the roof of the derelict school.
The spokesperson added: “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service finished at the scene at 7:22pm and the fire is being treated as deliberate.”
SDLP councillor of the area, Angela Dobbins, said it was believed young people may have been responsible and called on parents to be aware of what their children were up to when not at home.
It is the latest in a number of arson attacks at vacant school buildings in the city, the most recent being at the derelict Immaculate Conception College in the Waterside area.
Cllr Dobbins said: “This is an extremely worrying development.
“The quick response of fire crews prevented this from being a more serious situation.
“My understanding is that young people may have been responsible and I appeal to parents to make themselves aware of what their children are up to when not at home.”
Founded in 1886 by the Sisters of Mercy, the old Thornhill College has lay vacant since its 100-plus staff and 1,500 pupils moved into a new building “across the road” in 2003.
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