A fire has badly damaged Harry Brearley’s old school.
Nursery St was closed off to traffic after a fire was reported at about 7am today and fire crews are currently pouring water onto the roof of the old school, which has been completely destroyed. Fire crews have forced entry to the building and are looking at whether it is structurally safe.
The school is adjacent to the Holy Trinity Church and Aizlewood’s Mill on Nursery St. It had been boarded up for many years after being using as a factory. It long ceased to be a school but was the first place of education of Harry Brearley when he lived in and around Spital St. He later attended Woodside School on Rutland Rd, which no longer exists.
Police and fire crews indicated the mostly likely cause of the fire was rough sleepers in the building. Other buildings in the area, such as buildings on Bridge St and the former Hare and Hounds on Nursery St have suffered similar damage in the past.
