A SCHOOL building will probably have to be pulled down after it went up in flames in a suspected arson attack yesterday.

Emergency crews rushed to Josephine Butler Academy on Academy Road, Ashington, shortly before 2pm, responding to a fire at the academy’s disused library site.

Detective Inspector Kelly French, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was the third fire in as many days at the site and it is currently being treated as malicious.

“This fire devastated the building, causing around £100,000 of damage and the building is likely beyond repair and will need to be pulled down.”

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northumbria Police.

Det Insp French added: “We are currently conducting a number of enquiries and reviewing CCTV.

“We urge anyone who may know anything about the fire to come forward – either speaking directly to police or through Crimestoppers.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to call police on 101 using reference number 557 10/07/20 or email the leading officer on 1085@northumbria.police.pnn.uk

Alternatively report information to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.