Menu
05/09/2012
Arvalee School Fire: Politicians Share Shock
Politicians in the Omagh area have expressed shock at the fire that swept through a special school in the town on Friday night.
The Tyrone Constitution newspaper spoke to elected representatives who arrived at the scene of Arvalee School and Resource Centre on Saturday morning to view the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.
The chairman of Omagh District Council, Errol Thompson, has a nephew who was a past pupil of the school.
He said: My nephew spent most of his primary school years here and we are all shocked by what has happened - it is just so hard to believe. I got the call at around 12.45am and at that stage the flames were quite small, and there was a lot of smoke billowing out of the building. But it spread rapidly, destroying around 75 per cent of the building. Everyone is in a complete state of shock, the parents, staff, pupils, they are all totally devastated.
"Sadly, the destruction caused here isn't just to the building - but to the tens of thousands of pounds worth of specialist equipment that won't be easily replaced."
And Omagh town councillor Sorcha McAnespie said: “I arrived at around midnight and was met with devastating scenes. As a mother myself, I know first hand the work that goes into getting your children ready for the new school year, so I express particular empathy with the parents involved."
Fellow town councillor Paddy McGowan said the damage caused would be felt across the district and beyond.
He said: “My heart goes out to the staff, the parents and the young people who this week have nowhere to go. Arvalee school has been a household name in this area for many years and it is heartbreaking to see it destroyed like this."
Politicians from across the area also renewed calls for anyone with information on how the fire started to get in contact with the police.
Meanwhile, education minister John O’Dowd has instructed officials in his department to fast track a new build school for Arvalee on a section of the Lisanelly Educational campus site.
(NE)
The Tyrone Constitution newspaper spoke to elected representatives who arrived at the scene of Arvalee School and Resource Centre on Saturday morning to view the extent of the damage caused by the blaze.
The chairman of Omagh District Council, Errol Thompson, has a nephew who was a past pupil of the school.
He said: My nephew spent most of his primary school years here and we are all shocked by what has happened - it is just so hard to believe. I got the call at around 12.45am and at that stage the flames were quite small, and there was a lot of smoke billowing out of the building. But it spread rapidly, destroying around 75 per cent of the building. Everyone is in a complete state of shock, the parents, staff, pupils, they are all totally devastated.
"Sadly, the destruction caused here isn't just to the building - but to the tens of thousands of pounds worth of specialist equipment that won't be easily replaced."
And Omagh town councillor Sorcha McAnespie said: “I arrived at around midnight and was met with devastating scenes. As a mother myself, I know first hand the work that goes into getting your children ready for the new school year, so I express particular empathy with the parents involved."
Fellow town councillor Paddy McGowan said the damage caused would be felt across the district and beyond.
He said: “My heart goes out to the staff, the parents and the young people who this week have nowhere to go. Arvalee school has been a household name in this area for many years and it is heartbreaking to see it destroyed like this."
Politicians from across the area also renewed calls for anyone with information on how the fire started to get in contact with the police.
Meanwhile, education minister John O’Dowd has instructed officials in his department to fast track a new build school for Arvalee on a section of the Lisanelly Educational campus site.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
20 May 2015
Primary School Building Site Vandalised
Police have issued a safety warning after a primary school building site was vandalised in Dromore. The site is located on the Mossvale Road. Police also received reports that youths were on scaffolding. Inspector Leslie Badger posted on PSNI Banbridge Facebook: "Building sites are not playgrounds.
Primary School Building Site Vandalised
Police have issued a safety warning after a primary school building site was vandalised in Dromore. The site is located on the Mossvale Road. Police also received reports that youths were on scaffolding. Inspector Leslie Badger posted on PSNI Banbridge Facebook: "Building sites are not playgrounds.
09 August 2013
Shared Education Campus Gets Go-Ahead
Work on a new shared education campus for the Omagh area is to begin on-site in the autumn. The development will involve site clearance work commencing in the autumn with the construction of the new Arvalee School and Resource Centre commencing next year.
Shared Education Campus Gets Go-Ahead
Work on a new shared education campus for the Omagh area is to begin on-site in the autumn. The development will involve site clearance work commencing in the autumn with the construction of the new Arvalee School and Resource Centre commencing next year.
04 February 2014
Green Light For Omagh Retail Development
Planning approval has been given the go-ahead for a new retail development in Omagh town centre. The application is for the extension and alteration to existing retail premises to provide 2,274 square meters of floorspace.
Green Light For Omagh Retail Development
Planning approval has been given the go-ahead for a new retail development in Omagh town centre. The application is for the extension and alteration to existing retail premises to provide 2,274 square meters of floorspace.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
