Playgroup gutted in 'arson' attack

The portable building, which houses the Cheeky Monkeys playgroup and toddler group on the site of Westfield Primary School, in Askham Lane, Acomb, York, has been burnt to the ground.

Youths were caught on the school's security cameras entering the portable building just before 2am and minutes later flames began to destroy the playgroup.

Devastated Tracy Morgan, who runs the group, said everything had been destroyed in the blaze.

She said: "It is absolutely gutted. I feel physically sick.

"I can't believe anyone could do this to little kids. Thousands of pounds worth of toys and equipment have just completely gone."

The playgroup is used by 35 children aged under three and they have been based in the building, off Grange Lane, for 16 years. While the building belonged to City of York Council, members of the group have to raise funds for equipment themselves.

She said: "Nobody has been physically hurt, but we are very mentally hurt.

"I just hope the building is demolished before any of the children see it.

"The building has been vandalised in the past, but this is the first time something like this has happened." She said that the playgroup was insured but that replacing all the equipment and getting a new building would take time.

Mark Barnett, head teacher of Westfield Primary School, said that it would accommodate the group in its building until it found something more permanent.

He said that parents should turn up with their children as normal on Monday and the school would provide them with a room and toys. "Their building is literally a burnt-out shell. It is devastating for the playgroup," he said.

Fire crews from Acomb put out the blaze at about 2.30am.

They were returning to the scene today to carry out a detailed investigation, but the firefighters believe the fire was likely to have been started by arsonists.

The police are also investigating the fire. Scenes of crime officers were visiting the school site today.

Updated: 11:30 Friday, April 25, 2003