A COMMUNITY is calling for urgent action before lives are lost after yet another major fire at a derelict primary school.

Emergency services were called to the former Greenland Primary School in South Moor, Stanley, at 8pm on Wednesday evening (April 13), just 24 hours after another blaze at the site the night before.

Eyewitness David McElhone, 29, from South Moor, said: "I saw all of the smoke and flew up to have a look. It was a really big fire.

"My partner rang the fire brigade and they came.

"There was three fire engines there and the police had all of the roads closed off."  

Residents say the Edwardian building, which closed in 2013, has become an eyesore and attracts young people who set fires and vandalise the site.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire is being treated as arson.

A spokesperson said: "Reports of a fire in a disused school in South Moor, Stanley came into control just after 8pm and and crews from Consett and High Handenhold attended.

"Police were in attendance. An investigation into the cause was conducted at the scene and it was determined that the blaze was started deliberately."

Writing in the Facebook group, Greenland School Change of Use Concerns, Julie Ann Clegg said: “Flames out of the side windows again.

“My 75-year-old mam is living straight opposite this and I live up the street.

“Please pull this building down. Firefighters constantly risking their lives putting out fires little scrotes think is acceptable to start.”

Community campaigner Christine McGeorge, who set up the Facebook group, said she would be calling for a public meeting to discuss the future of the site.

Alistair McGeorge said: “Address the problem by going to the root of the matter.

“Demolish the school and arrest the no hopers who have nothing better to do in their lives but annoy decent people.

“Not rocket science is it.”

Read more: Woman left with horrific injuries after attack by dogs on Horden beach

A planning application to turn the site into a residential centre for vulnerable adults proved unpopular in the community and it was withdrawn.

The infant school was severely damaged during a previous arson attack in 2019.

The fires on Tuesday and Wednesday were in the former junior school building.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones has written to Durham County Councillor leader Amanda Hopgood about the matter.

Mr Jones said: "I have been raising concerns for years yet nothing has been done in response to a long series of life-threatening incidents.

"It is only a matter of time until there is a tragedy and something needs to be done now."

Durham County Council’s building control teams have been on site since Wednesday and are continuing to monitor the situation.

Stephen Reed, planning development manager, said: "We will be considering any action needed following the fire, working with partners to ensure the safety and security of the premises.”

Police have confirmed an investigation is now underway.

A spokesperson said: "An arson investigation is now underway, and officers want to hear from anyone who might have any information.

"The force is also working closely with partner agencies and the building’s owner to find a long-term solution."

Anyone with information can call 101 with incident reference number 437 of April 13.

---

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054