Head tells of race to re-open after blaze

When Headmaster, Ian Kirkland (pictured above in front of the damage) saw the extent of the damage to the school's extension, on Sunday August 26, he thought the school would never be open in time.

But he is still worried because of the lack of security within the school, on Pope Lane, in Penwortham, and the string of arson attacks which have recently plagued Preston.

He said: "We're in the situation where we are very vulnerable -- look what happened to Brindle Gregson Lane school, which burnt to the ground three months ago.

"We're finally putting well needed security cameras in place -- we could not afford them before, but the potential seriousness of this fire has prompted action."

He added: "We need much more security but we haven't the resources, for instance, the Chief Fire Officer advised us to get a sprinkler system but it is far too expensive."

A spokesperson for Lancashire fire and rescue said: "In terms of active fail safe security to prevent fires then sprinklers have got to be top of the list.

"Sprinklers are only just being considered at Brindle Gregson Lane school -- because we had to rebuild the school and there was £2 million pounds worth of damage.

"We've had assurances from Hazel Harding that sprinklers would be put in the school. But its a shame it had to be in the wake of that tragic attack."

Ian felt that the way the school bounced back was a major achievement under the circumstances and it was down to the speed in which people responded.

He said: "We were inundated with offers from parents, grant parents and head teachers from other schools.

"I must admit that at 10pm on Sunday I felt very low. It was worse on Monday morning because it really sunk in in the light of day."

It has taken an enormous amount of work to make sure the building was safe and clean for the children -- the estimate on the cost of the damage is rising from £60,000.