Parents' safety concerns over return to fire-ravaged Easter Ross school site at Park Primary revealed after update meeting
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WORRIED parents fear for the safety of their children if and when they return to a fire-ravaged school site – after it suffered its second major blaze in just 12 months.
Cromarty Firth ward councillor Maxine Smith said the concerns were raised following an emergency online meeting on Monday.
The briefing, which was attended by parents, council staff, councillors and firefighters, had been called after the Victorian building at Invergordon's Park Primary School suffered substantial damage in a blaze on Saturday morning. The fire broke out almost exactly a year to the day after the first blaze, which destroyed the site’s more modern buildings.
Firefighters and police are investigating the latest fire, but it is understood they have as yet been unable to fully access the site owing to the dangerous condition of the building.
Cllr Smith, who was one of several local figures to praise the fire service and police for their swift response to the incident, said that the meeting on Monday had revealed that parts of the surviving structure were “extremely unsafe, especially the bell tower” and urged people to stay well away from the site.
She added: “The structural engineers have suggested it could take several months to assess the extent of the damage and whether or not the old Victorian building needs to be demolished.
“The council will continue to meet with parents and begin entering into discussions about a realistic future for a new building.”
She continued: “Some parents have been reporting back to us that they fear for their children returning to that site after having two fires within the space of a year. This is understandable and counselling is being offered to families or staff who are overwhelmed.”
Fellow Cromarty Firth ward councillor Carolyn Wilson, who chaired Monday's briefing, added that it is still too soon to know what the future holds for the school site.
“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.”
She also praised the response of emergency crews and added that "significant levels of support have been provided to the school community” to help assist those traumatised by the second fire.
Education psychology support and additional staffing are being 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.
The council's chief executive Donna Manson is also expected to bring an update on the school to the council later this month, and the leader has written to the Scottish Government's Deputy First Minister John Swinney – who is also education secretary – to request government support.
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone has offered to provide any assistance he can to secure financial support for the school, including writing in support of any possible future funding bids.
Pupils from the primary school are already temporarily based at Invergordon Academy following the first fire. In the wake of the second blaze the council added that a number of portable buildings will also be located at Invergordon Academy to provide accommodation for Park Primary's nursery children who are currently attending South Lodge Primary.
Photo reveals damage of second fire at Park Primary
VIDEO: Footage shows firefighters battling second blaze at Invergordon school
