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Fire at disused school
A FORMER middle school which has lain empty for seven months has been damaged by fire, today.
Firefighters were called to the old Sladen Middle School building in Kidderminster at 1am after reports of a kitchen fire.
When crews arrived at the Hurcott Road grounds they discovered a brick and wood outbuilding, next to the main school building's kitchen, ablaze.
Firefighters equipped with a thermal imaging camera, breathing apparatus and hose reels fought the flames in the storage building, which was empty at the time.
After the fire was out, firefighters aided by security staff checked the school and kitchen area for damage.
Phil Berry, watch manager, said "some smoke and heat" had got into the nearby kitchen through a gap above the kitchen's door.
He added: "Once we had the fire out we got access to the school.
"With the smoke which had got in, we had to ventilate and open as many windows as we could."
The school, owned by Worcestershire County Council, has been shut since the Wyre Forest School Review saw the closure of all the district's middle schools in a move from a three-tier to two-tier education system.
Dylan Evans, police spokesman, said: "We are investigating the incident but there is no reason to believe the fire was started deliberately.
"If anyone has information to the contrary we urge them to come forward.
"Officers do carry out regular patrols around the school site and we urge anybody who sees anyone on the school premises when they should not be to call the police on 08457 444888."
1:26pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: jimpbob, Kidderminster on 3:08pm Fri 28 Mar 08
While waiting for a permanent usage, Sladen school could have been used by St Mary's and St George's so that the building works could be completed without impacting the children. What a tragic waste of a beautiful school building.
While waiting for a permanent usage, Sladen school could have been used by St Mary's and St George's so that the building works could be completed without impacting the children. What a tragic waste of a beautiful school building.
Posted by: lou, kidderminster on 4:56pm Fri 28 Mar 08
My daughter went to sladen middle school when it was open, it was a lovely school building before the vandals started to wreck it.
My other daughter is is at st mary's chool who are currently having huge building work done on it with massive affact on the the schooling of the childrwen at the school.
I agree with jimpbob of kidderminster, st marys should be moved in to the old sladen site till the work at st .marys is complete.
My daughter went to sladen middle school when it was open, it was a lovely school building before the vandals started to wreck it.
My other daughter is is at st mary's chool who are currently having huge building work done on it with massive affact on the the schooling of the childrwen at the school.
I agree with jimpbob of kidderminster, st marys should be moved in to the old sladen site till the work at st .marys is complete.
Posted by: markjl36, wolverley on 7:54pm Sat 29 Mar 08
being an ex pupil from 78-82 i feel very sad every time i drive past sladen school-just look at the state of schools in wyreforest either closed down or potcabin cities -then look at kidderminster with the sores of horsefair, worcester street and ring road then theres no surprise of the state of sladen
being an ex pupil from 78-82 i feel very sad every time i drive past sladen school-just look at the state of schools in wyreforest either closed down or potcabin cities -then look at kidderminster with the sores of horsefair, worcester street and ring road then theres no surprise of the state of sladen
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