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Second blaze leaves future of fire-hit Park Primary School site unclear; Highland Council says too early to 'decide on long term plans' following latest fire at the site in Invergordon, Ross-shire


By Philip Murray

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The roof has been destroyed in places at Park Primary School. Picture: Highland Council.
The roof has been destroyed in places at Park Primary School. Picture: Highland Council.

THE future of a fire-ravaged school site remains unclear following a second devastating blaze at the weekend, Highland Council has said.

Park Primary School in Invergordon suffered its second major fire in just 12 months on Saturday morning.

This latest fire was centred on the old Victorian school building, which was extensively damaged – with the fire punching its way through the roof in places.

A digital meeting between parents, council staff, councillors and firefighters was held on Monday evening to update the community about the latest fire and its knock-on impact on a return to the school site for pupils.

Plans had recently been lodged to install several modular classrooms in the grounds that would have enabled youngsters to return following the first fire in February 2020.

But Saturday's latest blaze has thrown those plans into question, and local ward councillor Carolyn Wilson, who chaired the digital briefing, has warned that it is too early to say what the "long term plans" for the site might be.

A joint police and fire investigation is under way into the cause of Saturday's blaze, and further explorations of the site will take place once the building has been made safe. The council added that an update is expected to take "around four to six weeks".

A number of portable buildings will be located at Invergordon Academy to provide accommodation for nursery children who are currently attending South Lodge Primary.

Education psychology support and additional staffing will also be made available to the school to provide any support as necessary, including the secondment of a child care manager, an additional support needs officer, management and engagement support.

Chief Executive Donna Manson will take an update paper to the council later in March and has invited parents to share their views on the future of the school. The leader of the council has also written to the Depute First Minister to provide an update and to request government support.

Chairing Monday's meeting, Cllr Wilson thanked the fire, police and council resources responding to the incident. She said: “There has been a tremendous and swift response to this incident. It is undoubtable there has been a real impact on the local community following the two fires on the Park Primary site. We recognise that this may affect people in different ways and significant levels of support has been provided to the school community.”

She added: “We are not in a position to decide on long term plans just yet, as we need to understand all the issues and consider all the options, based on a clearer picture. What is agreed is that we all want the very best outcome for the children and for the community. We need to take the views and feelings of the school and local community into account, as well as await the outcome of the investigations under way.”

Related news: Photo reveals scale of damage at fire-hit school

Related news: WATCH: Firefighters tackle another major Easter Ross school blaze


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