Police say vandalism not to blame for high school flood

POLICE today ruled that a flood at Portobello High School which caused £50,000 worth of damage was caused by an accident.

Last month, city education leader Marilyne MacLaren said she could "categorically assure" parents that an act of vandalism was to blame. But after a painstaking search through CCTV footage without a fast-forward facility, the police investigation has concluded that no crime was committed.

Instead, it is thought a hot water tap was accidentally left on in a sink in an art room, and ran for several days. A small piece of Perspex, which is often used for mixing paint, had blocked the sink.

Hundreds of children were sent home after the flood was discovered following the holiday weekend at the start of May. The water caused widespread damage to light fittings, ceiling tiles and floor coverings over six floors, as well as damage to physics equipment, books and other teaching materials.

Mike Robb, vice-chairman of the Portobello parents council, today said he was "pleased" with the outcome of the police investigation. "While it was being portrayed as vandalism, it was painting a negative story about the school," he said.

"I was certainly surprised that Councillor MacLaren had taken such a firm line (on it being vandalism)."

Local Labour Councillor Maureen Child added: "I'm really happy that this conclusion has been arrived at so quickly.

"It wasn't nice to think that somebody did this deliberately – it's bad enough that it happened.

"Some people think the worst of young people – I like to think the best of them."

Cllr Child added: "The vagaries of the school's hot water system are such that you can turn on the hot tap and nothing happens, then a few minutes later, it starts to flow. This flood could have been caused by someone filling a bowl or a bucket, or finishing off clearing up, oblivious to the idiosyncrasies of the hot water system.

Cllr MacLaren has already ordered a review of janitorial duties in a bid to ensure there is no repeat of the incident at any Edinburgh school.

The 50,000 bill to the council is equivalent to 160 per cent of the average yearly maintenance budget for a high school.

Cllr MacLaren said today: "My (previous) statement was based on the report which was written by our head of property, whose conclusions were based on the best available information and opinion at the time.

"The police have (since) concluded their investigation and the situation has changed as a result. I'm glad the incident was not malicious, and my thanks go to the council officers who acted so speedily to get the school back to normal."