MORE fires were started at schools within the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) area than in any other part of the province during the past year, it has emerged.
While there was a reduction generally over the last 12 months to February of this year, the NEELB, which covers most of County Antrim and the eastern part of County Londonderry, had to cope with 11 blazes at school premises.
The statistics came t
o light as NIO Minister Maria Eagle confirmed that 21 of the 28 fires that occurred last year at schools in the north’s five education and library board areas were deliberate.
However, the new figures, released in the latter part of last week, showed there has been a reduction in the number of blazes compared with the year 2005-2006, when there were 31.
There has been a gradual decline since 2002-2003, when there were 46 fires in the north’s schools - 32 of which were deliberate.
While the NEELB area had the highest total - 11 - in the past year, Ms Eagle said the lowest number of fires - three - was reported in the south eastern board.
The statistics were released by the Minister following a parliamentary question by lady Sylvia Hermon.
The Ulster Unionist MP also asked about the cost of repairs for the fire damage but Ms Eagle said such information was “not readily available”.
