A sports college in Lancaster has been damaged after a fire broke out in the premises earlier this week.
Fire crews were called to Heysham High Sports College at around 4am yesterday (12th June) by security firm G4S after an intruder alarm went off, reports the Lancaster Guardian.
The security guard managed to force his way into the school and found a smouldering fire at the entrance to the sports centre.
Dave Gillon, Blue Watch crew manager, revealed that around six sq m of the front face of the building were affected by the fire, with the interior also suffering smoke damage.
“One hundred sq m of the building were severely affected by smoke, which also affected the reception area and two large gyms, one of which had been set up for an exam,” he told the news provider.
“The fire involved a plastic collection recycling wheelie bin and its contents, which we believe was set alight deliberately.”
A ‘suitable and sufficient’ fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
The local police force and fire service have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the blaze.