School is destroyed in arson attack

Arsonists targeted a former primary school sparking a blaze which sent flames 30 feet into the air and took 50 firefighters to bring under control.

Vandals struck at 4.15am yesterday at the Lakeside Primary School, in Holman Close, Willenhall, which has been closed for four years.

Three fire engines were initially scrambled to the scene but the scale of the blaze demanded back-up, with a total of 10 on the scene within 90 minutes.

A crowd of around 20 residents came out of their homes in the middle of the night, woken by the sirens.

Willenhall crew commander Simon Bebbington confirmed police were treating the fire as suspicious.

He added: "The flames were 30ft at their peak and have destroyed the building."

Residents today said the blaze was "waiting to happen" as the site was left unused for so long.

Walsall Council will now have to decide whether to demolish the remains.