Asbestos alert as yobs start fires at former Westhaven Junior School

7:30am Friday 30th October 2009

By Dan Goater

FIREFIGHTERS are warning the public about the dangers of the cancer-causing material in old buildings after several arson attacks at the former Westhaven Junior School site.

Crews from the Weymouth station scrambled to the building in Radipole Lane earlier this week following reports of a fire.

It is the latest in a series of break-ins at the property prompting a severe warning from fire chiefs.

Weymouth fire station manager Phil Head has warned that, unchecked, the fire could have created a cloud of asbestos fibres that could have covered Westham.

Mr Head said: “Despite the school having been empty for several years and now being in a state of disrepair, there are still some very serious health and safety issues on the site.

“The two fire crews had to force entry to the building and discovered a small fire which had been deliberately set.

“Although the fire was brought under control quickly, there were some serious concerns regarding the building and the safety of the public.

“Despite being secured, someone, or a group of people, had forced entry and there was evidence of fireworks.”

He added: “Dorset Fire and Rescue Service is committed to keeping the community safe, and the message of firework safety is more important than ever at this time of the year, particularly as it is a half-term break from schools.

“We are hoping to work with the local community of Westham, to raise awareness amongst parents and children of the dangers of fireworks and playing in derelict properties.

“Westhaven School is waiting to be demolished and, due to the presence of asbestos, there are wider implications on both personal and public safety, as a large fire could spread asbestos fibres across the wider area of Westham, creating a public hazard – not to mention the danger to crews who would be involved in fire fighting.

“Further risks within the building include exposed live electrics and damaged staircases.

“The risk of injury for those who forcibly enter the property illegally cannot be underestimated – but the risk to the emergency services attending is as significant in equal measure.”

A spokesman for the fire service added that a security company has now been employed to watch over the property and that they had to prevent another incursion into the grounds, with the help of local police, the force’s helicopter and dogs, within 24 hours of the first fire.

The warning about the dangers of asbestos were echoed by the managing director of Dorchester-based Specialist Environmental Contractors Ltd, Richard Green-ing.

Mr Greening, who has worked in asbestos removal for ten years, said: “Even pre-1989 artexing can contain asbestos.

“I have seen for myself children going into abandoned buildings, trampling artex materials and creating dust – they’ve just got no idea of the danger it can cause.

He added: “You can fit about two million asbestos particles on a pinhead, so if a fire had broken out there would have been trillions of particles released into the atmosphere.”