SDLP Councillor Angela Dobbins has warned against people starting fires at a disused Derry school saying “one day they’ll go too far and someone will lose their life”.
Said Cllr Dobbins: “I attended the scene of another fire at the former Thornhill College in Culmore.
“This site has been the subject of anti social behaviour and arson on numerous occasions. I’ve been in contact with the owners but despite boarding up the doors and windows and having security onsite they feel powerless at preventing these attacks.
“Three fire appliances with crews, one of which came from Belfast tackled the blaze until extinguished, the firefighters weren’t sure if anyone was inside or not.
“These buildings are so unsafe and unstable that even the firefighters are putting their lives at risk let alone the youngsters who started the blaze.
“Do they not realise just how dangerous their actions are?
“There are residents around this site that should not be subjected to this nightly disturbance nor residents in Culmore and in Strathfoyle opposite the site should not have to endure fumes from the smoke each time it’s set alight.
“I’ve asked for a meeting of PSNI, FRS and the owners in order to find a possible solution.”
Around 30 firefighters were involved in the operation to extinguish the blaze.
Fire Rescue Service (NIFRS) Group Commander David Doherty said the site had been “deliberately put on fire quite a few times”.
“It’s a massive drain on our resources,” he added.
Four pumping appliances and two aerial appliances, one from Belfast, were deployed to tackle the fire at the four-story building.
A specialist hazardous material officer was also deployed due to the potential presence of asbestos in the building, Mr Doherty added.
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