Fire at Immaculate Conception College '˜deliberate'
Local community workers in Gobnascale have called the latest vandalism at Immaculate Conception College as an '˜attack on the community'.
A fire was started in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 6th July, and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed that it is being treated as deliberate.
Hillcrest House, the local community based service, said, “This fire has happened after weeks of attacks on the workmen, including the stealing of their tools and vandalism on a daily and nightly basis.
“Whilst this is going on and we are dealing with these attacks, we are trying to plan a summer programme in which we have over 200 young people registered - as well as Hooley on the Hill, the Opening of Rose Court Park and the new Community Hub.
“These are all positive activities for our community, and this behaviour and destruction is casting a negative light and could impact on these services being delivered.
“This site is being developed for badly needed new housing and a community centre and all these attacks of vandalism are against us all as a community.”
A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed, “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a call at 4:35am to a report of a fire at derelict school on the Trench Road, Gobnascale area of Foyle this morning (Wednesday 6th July).
“Two Fire Appliances from Crescent Link Fire Station, one Fire Appliance along with an Aerial Appliance from Northland Fire Station and one Fire Appliance from Limavady Fire Station attended the incident.
“Firefighters dealt with a well-developed fire in the gym area of the derelict school and prevented it from spreading to other parts of the building.
“Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service finished at the scene at 8:48am and the fire is being treated as deliberate.”