Scottish Catholic Observer

A Glasgow Catholic primary school has been the target of an arson attack that has caused thousands of pounds of damage.

St Marnock’s Primary School in Pollok, Glasgow, was deliberately set on fire at around 2am on Sunday, a matter of weeks before staff were set to return after the summer holidays.

Police Scotland said the incident is being treated as willful fireraising and are appealing for witnesses. Emergency services attended to find the front of the school was on fire.

Detective Constable Jackie McIntyre of Pollok CID said it was lucky no one was hurt.

“Thankfully no one was in the school at the time,” he said. “There is no doubt that this fire was set deliberately and there has been considerable damage caused as a result.”

Glasgow City Council, which runs the school, confirmed the front door of the school will need to be replaced, while there was also smoke damage to the building. The school will still reopen as planned on August 12.

A nearby nondenominational primary school was also set on fire this month. Gowanbank Primary, about a mile away form St Marnock’s, was also hit by a similar arson attack on July 3.

Anyone with information relating to the blaze is asked to call the police on 0141 532 5600.