Arson wrecks two Black Country schools

Two schools half-a-mile apart in the Black Country were targeted by arsonists within hours of each other.

Wilkinson Primary School, in Bradley, Bilston, was destroyed in an inferno and disused buildings at Tipton's RSA Academy were gutted.

At the height of the blazes last night 150 firefighters, drafted in from as far away as Coventry, fought the fires.

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Today devastated parents, pupils and teachers wept at the scene of the Bradley school, which has been reduced to a charred shell. Police today said they were keeping an open mind about whether the attacks were linked.

The fire service received its first call to the Tipton school at 6.56pm and 15 crews attended. Less than three hours later, at 9.45pm, a flurry of calls came in to the fire control centre about the second blaze less than a mile-and-a-half away in Walter Road, Bradley.

Hundreds of shocked onlookers gathered at both scenes as the flames took hold.

Black smoke filled the sky as the flames wrapped around three tower blocks in Tipton, with witnesses saying they saw blue flames from gas explosions.

Police cordoned off Bilston Road and parts of Farmer Way, trying to move crowds of onlookers away from the scene. The RSA Academy was created to replace the old Willingsworth

High School in 2008 with new facilities opening in September. The fire was in disused buildings on the former school site. Its 1,100 pupils were today back in the classroom.

Resident Joe Hubbard, aged 64, joined Gospel Oak pub licensee Kirsty Duncan in redirecting traffic and moving children away from the scene before emergency services arrived.

Retired finance director Mr Hubbard said: "I could see the smoke over the top of the houses and the glow of the flame and the road was completely blocked.

"We had to tell cars to turn around."

The Bilston school, which was built in 1973 and had recently undergone refurbishment, was close to collapse by midnight and was today reduced to charred rubble.

Its 335 pupils were today sent home, while a temporary school was being set up at nearby St Martin's Church. Pupils will start at the replacement on November 1.

Insp John Scobbie from Wolverhampton police said: "This was a very serious incident and we are thankful that no one was hurt. However, this fire has now destroyed the hard work of many pupils and teachers, who are now without a place to work and play. We will be conducting a very thorough investigation, so we can bring the persons responsible to justice."

Headteacher Tina Gibbons was too upset to speak about the incident.

Bilston councillor Steve Simkins, a school governor, said: "It's very sad. I have been told by the council that 90 per cent of the building is ruined and only the nursery is left. We need to make alternative arrangements and get the school rebuilt as soon as possible."

PTA treasurer Mrs Mavis Heath, 61, from Wesley Street, had tears streaming down her cheeks as she said: "It is a wonderful school. My children came here, my grandchildren are current pupils, and I am also a child minder and many of those children have also been taught here."