Four teenagers arrested over Islamic school fire
Four teenagers are arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire at an Islamic boarding school in south east London, Scotland Yard confirms.
Detectives investigating a fire at an Islamic boarding school have arrested four teenagers, two 17-year-olds and two 18-year-olds.
Almost 130 pupils and staff were evacuated from the Darul Uloom Islamic School in Chislehurst, south-east London on Saturday night.
Teachers reacted quickly to extinguish flames at the school and only minor damage was caused to the building, two boys suffered smoke inhalation but did not need to be taken to hospital.
A spokesman for the school claimed it was “set alight by intruders”, police said they were working to establish if the blaze was started deliberately and believed the fire was suspicious.
The incident came days after an Islamic centre in London’s Muswell Hill was burnt to the ground, the building was daubed with the letters “EDL”, an apparent referencing the anti-Islam English Defence League.
Read: Police probe 'suspicious' fire at Islamic school
Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said officers were maintaining an around the clock guard of uniformed officers at sites we consider to be at greatest risk.
Detective Chief Superintendent Steph Roberts, Bromley borough commander, appealed for calm and urged people not to speculate on the cause of the school fire.
