Police investigating a fire once used as a film set for the ITV crime drama series Vera have appealed for information about the incident.

The blaze at the former Bluebell Meadows Infant School in Trimdon Grange comes amid concerns about young people getting onto the premises which has been sealed.

The school, previously known as Trimdon Grange Infant School, has been empty since three local schools were merged because of a fall in numbers.

(Image: TeesPix.Photos)

Firefighters were called to the incident shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday. The fire was brought under control and extinguished but the structure was severely damaged. Police were on the scene and the cause of the fire is being investigated. 

A Durham Police spokesperson said today (Monday, September 23): "Police were called shortly before 4pm on Saturday (Sep 21) to reports of a fire at the former Trimdon Grange Infant school on Salters Lane.

"Nobody was injured in the incident.

"Officers are keen to speak to anyone with information who has not already contacted police."

Anyone with any new information has been asked to contact Newton Aycliffe response team on 101 quoting crime reference number CRI00570902.

There was much excitement in the village when film crews moved into the school, to create part of the much-loved ITV crime drama, starring BAFTA-winning Brenda Blethyn as the savvy mac-wearing detective

 Durham County councillor Lucy Hovells said earlier the building that caught fire was the outside building on the school grounds which was used as a storage facility. (Image: TeesPix.Photos)

 

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(Image: TeesPix.Photos)

(Image: ITV)

(Image: TeesPix.Photos)

(Image: TeesPix.Photos)

She added, that there had been several incidents involving youths at the school, including young people climbing on the building and creating a nuisance. 

The building is up for sale and the council is proactively working to bring it back into use, with a security firm tasked to look after it in the meantime.