Three arrested after fire breaks out at Devonshire Primary Academy in Blackpool

The arrests were made last night (September 1) after a blaze broke out on the first floor of Devonshire Primary Academy in Devonshire Road at 6.45pm.

Fire crews from Bispham, South Shore, Fleetwood and St Annes battled the blaze with hose reels and were able to contain the fire on a balcony to prevent it from spreading to the main building.

The fire involved play equipment on the roof balcony and is believed to have been started deliberately. An arson investigation is expected to take place this morning (September 2).

At 9pm last night, Lancashire Police confirmed that three people had been arrested in connection with the fire. The force has also identified a fourth suspect, who remains wanted.

The school had been due to welcome back pupils tomorrow (Thursday, September 3) following the summer break.

A police spokesman said: "We are dealing with an incident at Devonshire Primary School where a fire has been discovered.

"We have arrested three and enquiries are ongoing to locate the fourth suspect."

Lancashire Police closed Devonshire Road from Caunce Street to the junction with Talbot Road while firefighters tackled the blaze.

A spokesman for LFRS said: "Firefighters from Bispham, South Shore, Fleetwood and St Annes were called to reports of a fire at a commercial building on Devonshire Road, Blackpool.

"On arrival firefighters found the fire on the roof of a first floor balcony.

"They were able to quickly contain the fire and prevent the fire spreading to the main building using two hose reels.

"The cause of the fire is now under a joint investigation alongside Lancashire Police."

If you have any information about the fire, you can contact Lancashire Police on 101, quoting incident LC-20200901-1311.