School safety call

LOCAL councillors are calling for the immediate demolition of a derelict school which has been targeted by arsonists.

They say the fact no-one has been injured in fires at the former Hill Top School, Moorside, is down to pure good fortune and have accused council officers of ignoring the dangers.

The Arncliffe Rise building was set alight twice in two days at the end of last month, with one blaze taking three hours to extinguish.

Councillor Jackie Stanton has written to Elaine McLean, the council’s executive director responsible for the building, and said: “This is now a serious situation that could have further consequences for the council and residents alike.

“A fire that took three hours to extinguish is not to be taken lightly. It is more good luck than good management that nobody was injured in these incidents — and that includes the firefighters. It will be impossible to sell this building now as it is damaged beyond repair. The only possible solution is that the council order its immediate demolition before someone gets seriously hurt.”

“This has been an ongoing situation for many years, indeed some residents raised this matter with council chief executive Charlie Parker over 18 months ago. They have put up with anti-social behaviour and vandalism for years and asked that demolition be considered.”

Hill Top closed in 2005 when it was replaced by New Bridge School, Hollinwood.

Fellow St James ward Liberal Democrat councillor, Roger Hindle, added: “Demolishing the former school now would remove this potential hazard and would also save on the cost of security patrols and keeping the building secure. There are differing views as to what should be the future use of the school site, but it is more important to make it safe, and the only way for that is demolition.”