School up in flames

Published 27 Sep 2011 09:30

HUNDREDS of residents looked on in horror yesterday as a primary school in the area went up in flames.

Firefighters were first alerted to the blaze at the old Bonhill Primary School at around 6.30pm and arrived on scene shortly after but were unable to put the blaze out until the early hours of the following morning.

Police officers were also in attendance and cordoned the road off to control the flow of traffic and ensure a safe perimeter for the watching public.

The building, which is located opposite the new school on main street, was first opened in 1874 and was already due for demolition although this will now be brought forward.

One resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "There was loads of people out watching it, there must've been about 500 people.

"You could see the flames from the top of the hill and you could see them in Dumbarton.

"It's devastating, I hope the camera saw something. It's a sad day.

"My husband went to it, my kids went to it, my mother went to the school in 1933. It's tragic.

"We could see the flames starting from the second classroom next to the headmistress' office. When we came down the classroom and roof were on fire, that's what we noticed first.

"There was two aerial units and there was another couple of regular fire engines and two police vans and two police cars.

"My kids came in and told us about it then we heard the sirens. That was about 6.20pm and it was still going on until the back of one AM.

"It's a piece of history and now it's been burnt to the ground by whatever happened."

Gordon Kerr, Dumbarton Fire Station Commander, said that the fire brigade were first notified about the fire at around 6.30pm and responded by sending four fire appliances to the scene, two of which had aerial capabilities.

He added: "This was a sizeable fire which was already affecting the stability of the roof on the arrival of the fire service. "Consequently the fire was fought externally using main jets, ground monitor jets and aerial monitor jets. Crews ensured that the fire did not affect adjoining buildings and structures."

"Police were in attendance and ensured that the public remained outside of our outer cordon and dealt with closure of roads affected.

"Building control were requested to attend to determine the condition of the remaining structure."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 27 Sep 11

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