Petrol bomb attack on kids' nursery

5:49pm Tuesday 13th February 2007

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A children's nursery has been petrol bombed in a mystery arson attack.

Bosses at Little People Day Nursery, Piccadilly Road, Burnley, said £5,000 worth of damage was caused.

And police and fire chiefs have slammed the callous' arsonists for the attack.

Police and firefighters were called to the nursery at about 11.15pm on Saturday.

The blaze was contained to an entrance hall.

A joint investigation has been launched and fire bosses said evidence of a plastic bottle with a rag was found.

As yet the motive for the attack is a mystery.

The nursery, which has about 70 youngsters ranging from new-born babies to five-year-olds, was open, but children and staff were forced to use an alternative entrance to get in and out of the building.

Jacqueline Moss, manager director of Little People Nursery, said: "It was just an entrance area that was damaged and we are in the process of getting people out to repair the damage.

"The cost is considerable we are in the process of getting quotes but the entrance will need replacing and the fire alarm and we will have to get rid of the smell of smoke, so it is going to be in the region of £5,000 "It is the same when anyone causes damage against someone's property, it is upsetting and unacceptable. When it involves children it becomes more annoying but we have just got to get on with it.

"We provide a service for parents who have to go to work so it is important we did that."

Miss Moss said it was the first time the nursery, which was opened about 20 years ago, had been targeted by arsonists.

The company also has nurseries in Eldwick Street and Padiham Road, both Burnley, Derby Street, Colne, and in Bolton and Manchester.

Neil Ashworth, station manager at Burnley fire station, said the blaze was quickly spreading when crews arrived at the scene.

He said: "When a liquid is used there is a very significant burning pattern and a plastic bottle with a rag in the top was found.

"It was a serious attempt to burn the place down. It could have put a lot of people out and disrupted a lot of families' lives.

"We are treating the incident very seriously with the police."

Police inspector Damian Darcy added: "It appears a window has been broken in the porch and somebody has put through what appears to be a firebomb.

"It is obviously a callous thing to do. It is a children's nursery but luckily the damage was not as bad as it could have been.

"We would appeal for anybody with any information about the incident to come forward."

Anybody with information should contact police on 01282 425001.