School demolition stepped up

Demolition has been carried out at an arson-hit former Willenhall primary school after the blaze left the building unsafe.

Work to pull down the disused Lakeside Primary started in Holman Close earlier this week. The full site clearance is expected to be finished inside three weeks.

It was due to be demolished next month anyway but the fire prompted this to be brought forward. Work has been undertaken by Humphries Demolition.

Around 50 firefighters were called to bring the blaze under control on Sunday morning.

Flames were seen to reach 30ft high at their peak. Vandals are believed to have struck at the now void school, which has been closed for the last four years, at around 4.15am on Sunday. Regeneration chief councillor Adrian Andrew said: "The building was due to be demolished in a month's time but this weekend's fire means this it had to be brought forward.

He said the fire virtually destroyed the building and the remaining structure was assessed as unsafe.

Lakeside Primary closed in 2007, when its pupils and those from Clothier Street and Little London primaries moved to the £4.5 million Fibbersley Park School in nearby Noose Lane.