A SPORTS pavilion at a local secondary school was completely gutted by a suspected arson attack over the weekend. Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the Verulam School playing fields, in Sandpit Lane, St Albans, at around 2am on Sunday morning. Two crews from St Alb

A SPORTS pavilion at a local secondary school was completely gutted by a fire over the weekend.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the Verulam School playing fields, in Sandpit Lane, St Albans, at around 2am on Sunday morning.

Two crews from St Albans, one from Hatfield and one from Wheathampstead attended the scene and found the single story pavilion well alight on their arrival.

Firefighters wearing breathing equipment entered the pavilion to tackle the fire but the building was gutted. The crews did however prevent the flames from spreading to the neighbouring Mount Carmel Kindergarten.

It is thought that a gas pipe fractured in the incident and the gas board were also called, along with the electricity and water companies.

The blaze was out by around 3.20am but firefighters returned to the scene a few hours later to ensure that the fire had not reignited.

A police spokesperson said the fire is being treated as arson and confirmed that an investigation is underway.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact DS Jason Finnegan on 0845 3300 222.

A fire also broke out in the main school building early last year, which a teenager was found guilty of starting and sent to prison.

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