Harlaw Academy closed temporarily due to fire

11 December 2015

Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen will be closed to pupils on Monday 14 December following an incident, which is being treated by police as wilful fire-raising.

A fire at the city centre school was reported to the emergency services in the early hours of Saturday 12 December, which has led to a joint police and fire service investigation.

Council staff working in partnership Police Scotland and Scottish Fire & Rescue Service have been at the school all day.

Fire investigation officers completed their work this afternoon and released the building back to the City Council. The building has been made secure.

A clean-up operation will get under way at the school tomorrow (Sun 13 Dec) with specialist deep cleaning expected to be carried out at the start of the week (Mon 14 Dec). School staff will have limited access to the building on Monday.

Pupils, staff and parents have been informed of the school's temporary closure by group call today and they will receive a further update on Monday (14 Dec) as to whether the school will open to pupils on Tuesday (15 Dec).