It is believed that the fire was started as ‘an act vandalism’. Three fire tenders attended the scene at the derelict building. 

 

Station Commander Jim Mc Clintock was one of the firemen who fought the blaze.  

 

“We are treating the incident as a deliberate act. The fire was on the ground floor and it was mostly a lot of smoke. As it is a derelict building there was not much to burn in it, the building was already all boarded up.”

 

The school has been closed since 2004, and since then the building has been neglected.

 

MLA Rosemary Barton has expressed her disappointment at this morning’s news. 

“It is with disappointment that I have been informed this morning of the fire at the former Duke of Westminster High School.

 

“This was a building Ballinamallard was proud of but, sadly, since its closure in 2004, the building and the grounds have been totally neglected, by the various owners and has become an eyesore in the village.

 

“I strongly condemn any vandalism which may have taken place at the school and I hope that this incident focuses people on finding a long-term attractive use for this site on the Makenny Road.”

 

PSNI are currently investigating the cause of the fire. 

 

“Police received a report of a fire in a derelict property on the Makenny Road in Ballinamallrd shortly before 9am this morning. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.”