AG百家乐在线官网

Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters tackle suspected arson attack at prestigious London Oratory School

While the cause of the fire at The London Oratory School is still being investigated, the Metropolitan Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of arson and taken him into custody.

Wednesday 27 December 2023 15:13, UK

Fire engines and ambulances on Seagrave Road in Fulham, west London, as firefighters tackle a blaze at London Oratory School. An atrium is alight in the four storey building, the fire brigade said. Picture date: Wednesday December 27, 2023.
Image: Fire engines and ambulances on Seagrave Road in Fulham, west London
Why you can trust Sky News

Firefighters are battling a fire at a renowned school in west London which police say is a suspected arson.

Ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters raced to the London Oratory School on Seagrave Road in Fulham after receiving a call at about 10am.

The fire brigade said an atrium is alight in a four-storey building at the state secondary school.

The Metropolitan Police later released a statement saying a boy had been arrested.

It said: "At around 11.15 hours a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and taken into custody.

"A nearby shopping centre and some residential addresses have been evacuated as a precaution. Road closures are in place. Please avoid the area at this time."

No injuries have been reported so far.

More on London

Related Topics:

UK storm weather latest: Train passengers advised not to travel; yellow warnings extended

Residents have been urged to keep windows closed to block out any smoke.

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: "The brigade was called at 10.11am and is still at the scene.

"Fire crews from Fulham, Chelsea, Kensington, Wandsworth, Hammersmith, Clapham, Lambeth and Soho fire stations are in attendance."

Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by @xstiggy of fire engines and police officers on Seagrave Road in Fulham, west London, as firefighters tackle a blaze at London Oratory School. An atrium is alight in the four-story building, the fire brigade said. Picture date: Wednesday December 27, 2023.
Handout photo taken with permission from the social media site X, formerly Twitter, posted by @xstiggy of the emergency services on Seagrave Road in Fulham, west London, as firefighters tackle a blaze at London Oratory School. An atrium is alight in the four-story building, the fire brigade said. Picture date: Wednesday December 27, 2023.

The Catholic school sits a short distance from the Chelsea FC stadium, Stamford Bridge. It admits boys aged seven to 18, and the sixth form accepts girls too.

The school's alumni include actor Simon Callow, trade unionist Mick Whelan as well as the children of the former prime minister Sir Tony Blair, Harriet Harman and former deputy prime minister, Sir Nick Clegg.

Fire engines and police officers on Seagrave Road in Fulham, west London, as firefighters tackle a blaze at London Oratory School. An atrium is alight in the four storey building, the fire brigade said. Picture date: Wednesday December 27, 2023.
Fire engines and ambulances on Seagrave Road in Fulham, west London, as firefighters tackle a blaze at London Oratory School. An atrium is alight in the four storey building, the fire brigade said. Picture date: Wednesday December 27, 2023.

The London Ambulance Service, which is on the scene, posted on X, formerly Twitter: "We have an incident response officer and hazardous area response team on standby at the fire in Fulham.

"Please avoid the area if possible and close your windows if you live nearby."

Related Topics