Police have arrested four 14-year-old boys on suspicion of arson after a large fire at a Fulwood school.

Lancashire Police attended the scene at Highfield Priory Nursery in Fulwood at around 7.25pm on Saturday, 15 October, to reports of a fire, with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service already in attendance.

The blaze destroyed the separate nursery building, with police treating the incident as suspicious. Police arrested the four teenagers in connection with the investigation on suspicion of ‘criminal damage – arson not endangering life’ and released them on bail. 

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Det Insp George Binns of Preston CID said: ‘While we have made a number of arrests, our investigation is very much ongoing, and I would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or anyone who has information that could assist our enquiries to get in touch.” 

Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform from Preston, Blackpool, Blackburn, Longridge and Bamber Bridge attended the scene, with the last crew only leaving at midday on 16 October.

Firefighters used four jets, two hose reels, the aerial ladder platform, two breathing apparatus and bolt croppers to extinguish the fire.

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Police have appealed for witnesses, dashcam or doorbell footage.

Anyone with information should contact 101, quoting log number 1139 of 15 October.

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