@WLDispatch pic.twitter.com/WBoWdsWsQO
— Lee Longley (@LeeLongley) July 18, 2015
UPDATE: MONDAY 6pm: Police have confirmed the Upper Wortley Primary School was an arson attack and have appealed for witnesses to the incident.
Detective Constable Rob Miller, of Leeds District CID, said:
“Substantial damage has been caused and fire service investigators have confirmed that the fires have been started deliberately.
“The building has been derelict for a number of years but was recently bought by a developer. We are conducting enquiries to trace whoever was responsible and would like to hear from anyone who saw anyone in the area around the time of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact DC 6397 Miller at Elland Road via 101 or call the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on .
ORIGINAL STORY: SUNDAY, 10.12am: Four fire appliances were called to a blaze at the former Upper Wortley Primary School building yesterday evening. Firefighters were called to the blaze at the derelict grade II Listed building at about 5.45pm on Saturday.
They were equipped with two breathing apparatus, one large jet and an aerial appliance. A third appliance was then sent due to number of calls received from local residents and a fourth pump was required after a further building to the rear became involved. The final appliance left the scene at about 8.30pm last night. It’s understood no-one was hurt in the incident.
One local eyewitness told West Leeds Dispatch:
“We couldn’t see any actual fire but smoke was everywhere. It was frightening as houses are right next to it. It’s been empty for so long it’s not surprising this sort of thing happens.”
CID were on the scene after firefighters had left and the cause of the blaze is being investigated. The building has been derelict for more than 10 years.
Last November, developers Rushbond Group and Advent Developments gained planning permission to convert the building into 13, two and three bedroom, loft style houses and build 36 new build family homes in the school’s grounds.
The development will be called Greenhill Fold. Its website says the development is ‘coming soon’.
Reaction on Twitter:
@WLDispatch sad; derelict such a ridiculous length of time, I suppose now if damaged enough it’ll be replaced with ‘luxury’ apartments 😒
— Beth (@mostlywhiterose) July 18, 2015
we hope no one is injured https://t.co/aOR6vQC2yM
— clever tutors leeds (@clever_tutors) July 18, 2015