Firefighters from Morriston and Port Talbot were called to a fire on the second floor of the former Daniel James Community School near Penlan on Wednesday evening (23 April).
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 7.34pm on Wednesday, April 23, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Morriston and Port Talbot Fire Stations were called to an incident at the former Daniel James Community School in Tirdeunaw in Swansea.
“Crews responded to a fire within a three-storey building measuring approximately 60 metres by 70 metres, the fire was located on the property’s second floor. Crews utilised two breathing apparatus sets, two water jets, one seven-metre-ladder, small gear and a turntable ladder appliance used for thermal scanning to monitor and extinguish the fire.
“It is believed that this fire was started deliberately.”
The school has been largely empty since it was closed in 2012 due to falling grades and dwindling pupil numbers.
Residents have complained about the empty building becoming a magnet for antisocial behaviour in recent years.
The building is set to be demolished, with the site earmarked for a new school to be built to replace the existing Bishop Vaughan Catholic School.
Reacting to the fire on social media, Joanne De Valda said: “I drove past about 7.30ish, there were about 5 boys climbing over the railings onto Heol Ddu with hoods and scarves over their faces!”
Local resident Emily Renshaw said: “Five young boys ran in front of my mother’s car jumping the fence. One wearing a navy zip up jacket, one in all black and one in white and she didn’t catch the other two – all had hoods up. It’s getting ridiculous. If these are your children have a word!
“There’s police there every day kicking people out. Kids these days are out of control and you don’t know what they are going to do next.”
Fellow resident Yasmin GR added: “It’s such a waste of resources, perhaps the police should give the parents of those kids the bill for their time being there or charge and prosecute the teens.”
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service say they have three separate schemes to work with children and young people who play with fire. Referrals are received from parents and guardians, Firefighters and partner agencies. These are assessed so that a suitable programme can be allocated.
The fire service said that working with firesetting behaviour has proved to be effective and feedback received is very positive with only a small percent needing to be referred onto another programme.
A spokesperson from South Wales Police said: “Officers attended the former Daniel James Community School on Heol Ddu Tirdeunaw, Morriston, Swansea at around 8:30pm on Wednesday April 23 following a report of a fire within the building.
“The fire is believed to have been set deliberately.
“Anyone who has information regarding those responsible for setting the fire, please contact 101, quoting occurrence number 2500127632.”
These children do t even realise that the building has asbestos In it. 3 boys were sitting watching from afar, I bet they were the ones that started it as they appeared to be wearing similar colours that I had seen running away