AN OXFORDHSIRE Catholic junior school was the victim of suspected arson this week after a fire caused £400,000 worth of damage.
The blaze, at the Holy Trinity School, Chipping Norton, burned down the roof over the hall, razed one classroom to the ground, and caused substantial smoke damage throughout the building. At present the building can only be entered with special permission and is under the surveillance of the Oxfordshire risk-management team, set up for emergency situations. Headmistress RM Myers told the Catholic Herald that a neighbour had spotted smoke coming out of the school building on Sunday night, and had called the fire brigade immediately. "By the time the firemenreached the scene," said Mrs Myers, "the building was ablaze."
The 91 boys and girls at the school will be resuming classes next week in a temporary classroom. "Our Church, community and school are working together very well," said Mrs Myers. "Everyone has come to the support of the school."