An inferno at an under construction Scottish Primary School has forced the closure of roads and nearby buildings because of safety concerns.

The current Maddison Primary School in Falkirk, which sits adjacent to the now gutted new development, and roads surrounding the site have all been closed by the fire department.

The new £9 million school was being built by Graham construction. A report at 1.00am on Wednesday morning alerted authorities to the blaze, which soon ripped through 30 per cent of the development before being contained by fire crews.


Around 50 firefighters were involved in the operation to save the new school, due to open in early 2008, and the disaster has deeply saddened its prospective inhabitants.

Acting head teacher Helen Granville said: "We are devastated. There is such a strong sense of community in Maddiston and the school is at the heart of it.

"Everyone was looking forward to moving to the new school, however, the pupils will be back tomorrow and we hope that the delay won't be too long."

The building was nearing completion at the time of the fire, and shock fire has come as a big blow to the local community.

(DW)