Woodmill High School fire: Teenage boy charged as firefighters battle ‘suspicious’ blaze in Scotland

‘We are all utterly devastated by what has happened,’ headteacher says

More than 80 firefighters are working to contain the blaze (Scottish Fire & Rescue)

A 14-year-old boy has been charged after a major fire broke out at a school.

“As a result of inquiries conducted by Dunfermline CID, a 14-year-old male was arrested,” a Fife Police spokesperson said.

The teenager will appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Tuesday 27 August.

More than 80 firefighters are fighting to contain the major blaze at Woodmill High School in Dunfermline.

Emergency services were called at 5pm on Sunday after flames broke out at the school.

The fire, described as “large and complex”, was still burning on Monday morning.

Several support vehicles, 15 fire engines and two height appliances are at the scene.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews had surrounded the flames by Monday morning.

“We have worked through the night in challenging conditions to contain this fire and prevent further spread within the building,” said deputy assistant chief Stuart Stevens.

“Through effective planning, we have now surrounded the fire and we are working to extinguish the flames.

“However this remains a large and complex incident and we will remain in attendance for some time.”

He added: “Our advice remains that members of the public should avoid the area to allow access for emergency service vehicles.”

There have been no reported casualties.

The fire is burning in the school’s main building, with crews working around the site’s edges to contain it.

The school, which is located about 20 miles northwest of Edinburgh, announced it would be closed to all students on Monday.

Pupils had returned for the autumn term on 21 August.

“We are all utterly devastated by what has happened to our school,” Sandy Mcintosh, the school’s headteacher, said on Twitter.

“My heartfelt thanks go to the emergency services for all they have done to save our school.”

Additional reporting by agencies