St Anne’s primary school stays closed after fire damage

By Mary Dennehy

ST ANNE’S Primary School in Tallaght remains closed this week, after a fire last Saturday caused extensive smoke damage to the Fettercairn-based school.

Four units from fire stations in Tallaght and Dolphin’s Barn descended on the local school on Saturday evening, November 26, quickly bringing under control a fire that started in the support teacher’s room.

While the blaze was contained to one room, varying levels of smoke damage to the rest of the school and its contents have seen the vibrant school closed for the week – with hopes high that St Anne’s will re-open on Monday, December 5.

School Principal Mary Cullen told The Echo: “The school will be closed at least until Monday.

“Even though the fire was contained to one room, the smoke was not and it caused varying levels of smoke damage to classrooms and equipment.

“We currently have specialist cleaners in place and they are working hard to get the school safe for re-opening.

“We are aiming for this Monday, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

The room in which the fire started and its adjoining classrooms and corridor have been sealed off until Christmas, resulting in the school trying to find space for two classes.

Ms Cullen said: “We have to move two classes because of the fire and are currently trying to make space – which we will do.

“The main thing here is making sure that the building is safe and getting all of the children back to school.”

The school was unable to confirm the cause of the fire due to ongoing investigations.

However, a senior Garda source told The Echo that, following their own investigations and consulting with the fire officer at the scene, that the blaze was accidental and not a criminal offence.