Maisy, five, thanks fire crews for saving Wednesfield school in arson attack

When Wednesfield's St Albans Primary School went up in flames last week, about 50 firefighters fought the flames for hours - and now five-year-old Maisy Cattell has penned them a note to thank them for their efforts.

Her letter reads: "To fire fighters, thank you for putting the fire out you have made our school safer. Will you mend our school please? If you can send a letter back please? Sorry if I put too many cwestns. Love from Maisy."

Arsonists hit St Albans last Thursday night, with flames tearing through the roof of the school hall after vandals set fire to a disused water tank.

Ever since, Year 1 pupil Maisy has been forced to attend classes at Berrybrook Primary School in Underhill. Her school is not set to re-open until after the half-term break.

Among the crews that tackled the flames was Blue Watch from Fallings Park, the members of which have now replied to little Maisy.

Their letter reads: "Hi Maisy. Thank you for your letter, that's real sweet. You don't need to thank us for putting the fire out: that's our job – but it's nice to be appreciated. We are always trying to help everyone, and it makes us happy to know that we make you feel safe. I am pretty sure that your school will be mended soon and you can get back to normal in a safe and secure environment. As a special treat for you and your class mates, you can arrange with your teachers to come to our Fire Station for a special tour. All the best and see you soon, Blue Watch, Fallings Park Fire Station."

Maisy's mum Julie Cattell, aged 38, said her daughter was 'really upset, screaming really' when she learned of the fire.

She said: "She just wants the school to be fixed. She is very upset, she took it to heart, bless."

Mrs Cattell was not sure where Maisy got the idea to write the letter from, but thought they may have done something at school: "She just came home and sat in the kitchen and wrote quite a few letters out, I didn't see it until she went to bed.

"I thought it was really touching, I loved it. She took it upon herself to write it and never asked me for any help. I thought it was so sweet, but she is like that anyway."

Maisy asked her mum if she could mail the letter to the fire service for her and, as the youngster is a fan of Twitter, asked her to post it online as well.

Mrs Cattell, who also has a 14-year-old son, Bradley, said she had been very upset when the school was on fire.

"It's very sad, I just hope it can be fixed. I really like the school, it's a really good school."

St Alban's 177 pupils have been attending lessons elsewhere this week, with Berrybrook Primary School taking on pupils from Reception up to Year 4, while Coppice High School is hosting Year 5 and Year 6 children. The Hub at Ashmore Park, which caters for the area's library and community centre, has accommodated nursery youngsters.