An arson investigation is under way after fire swept through a building site in Gershwin Road, Brighton Hill on Friday night.
More than 100 firefighters and 12 specialist support vehicles were called to tackle the blaze at the site of the former Beech Down Primary School on September 10.
At 6.21pm control room operators at Hampshire Fire and Rescue were alerted to the fire. Crews arriving on the scene quickly called for additional support drawing on engines from Royal Berkshire, and Surrey Fire and Rescue Services.
Engines from Overton, Tadley, Whitchurch, Hartley Wintney, Alton, Fleet, Stockbridge, Sutton Scotney, Alresford, Mortimer, Camberley, Guildford and Witley Wood fire stations were also called to the scene.
Police officers evacuated up to 40 residents living on Gershwin Road and Lehar Close and they were not allowed to return until Saturday afternoon.
Three 15-year-old boys were arrested on Saturday, September 11 and a 12-year-old was arrested at lunchtime on Sunday, September 12 on suspicion of arson. All four boys were released on bail until Wednesday, November 3 while inquiries continue.
A witness had reported seeing two youngsters run from the scene shortly before the alarm was raised.
One was about 5ft 2inches tall and the other 5ft tall with brown hair.
The ferocity of the blaze was put down to the fact that much of the site was covered with timber frames.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer, John Bonney, said: “This incident has once again highlighted just how potentially dangerous the threat of fire can be in timber framed buildings whilst they are under construction.
“When timber framed buildings catch fire the actual structure burns. It often leads to total collapse and that puts the safety of our firefighters at risk.
“The potential for fire spread was clearly of major concern at this incident, and shows that the Chief Fire Officers Association is right to be increasingly worried about the number and severity of fires in timber framed buildings under construction.”
The 100m high, four story building was being built as part of Saxon Weald’s Extra Care scheme. The development, being built in partnership with Hampshire County Council, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and the Department of Health, consisted of 64 flats for over 60s with care needs and a day centre.
David Standfast, Saxon Weald’s Chief Executive, said: We are of course hugely disappointed by the delays and wasted resources that the fire has caused to this scheme, which, when finished, will be so valuable to Basingstoke’s older population.”
Construction work started on site in September 2009 and was due to finish in June 2011. Thirty-four of the flats were for affordable rents, while 30 were for shared equity purchase, none of which had yet been allocated.
Police are still appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about how the blaze started to come forward. Call Basingstoke CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Were you affected by the blaze? Let us know by posting your comments or contact us 01256 694126.
