Teenage girl, 16, arrested following Hove secondary school fire

• Firefighters were on the scene for several hours putting out the blaze

A teenage girl is being questioned by police on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at secondary school in Hove.

The 16-year-old is in custody as police investigate the incident at Blatchington Mill School on Wednesday.Nobody was injured but the school was closed on Thursday and will be shut on Friday.

Blatchington Mill headteacher, Kate Claydon, said: "While we do not have many confirmed details to share at this time, the safety, education and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority. 

"This situation is going to require patience and resilience as we partner with key services and the local authority to reopen the school. 

"We appreciate the outpouring of support and goodwill that we have received from residents, other schools, and our community. 

"We will continue to keep Blatch families updated throughout the days and weeks to come with details as they are confirmed."

Councillor Jacob Taylor, co-chair of Brighton and Hove city council’s Children, Families and School’s Committee, said: "We’re very sad to hear about the devastating fire at Blatchington Mill. 

"My heartfelt thanks to all the emergency services who attended overnight to get the fire under control and manage the situation.

"Council staff will be working closely with our colleagues in the school to do all we can to keep disruption to pupils to a minimum."

At its height, around 30 firefighters were at the scene, alongside Sussex Police officers.

Thermal imaging cameras were used by crews, as they worked to put out the blaze on the ground floor of the building.

People were asked to avoid the area and to keep windows and doors closed due to the large quantity of smoke in the air.

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