Overview
- The former Parkway Middle School caught fire around 8:20pm Tuesday, drawing more than 60 calls as smoke was seen as far as Sudbury.
- About 70 firefighters from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire fought the blaze, and the derelict building collapsed overnight with roughly 90% damaged, though no injuries were reported.
- By Wednesday morning crews had the fire under control, and a cordon stayed up as teams damped down hot spots and UK Power Networks cut power to make the area safe.
- Suffolk Police arrested a 15-year-old on Wednesday on suspicion of criminal damage—arson not endangering life—and bailed him to return on 22 June.
- The 9.9-acre site, closed since 2011 and owned by Unity Schools Partnership, had been eyed for about 110 homes, and nearby residents described choking smoke and road closures.