Four teenagers arrested over fire at Islamic school

FOUR teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire at an Islamic boarding school in Chislehurst, south-east London.

The Islamic school suffered only minor damage. Picture: PA

Scotland Yard said the two 17-year-olds and two 18-year-olds were detained late on Sunday night and taken to a south London police station, where they remained in custody yesterday.

Almost 130 pupils and staff were evacuated from the Darul Uloom Islamic School on Saturday evening with teachers reacting quickly and extinguishing the flames.

Only minor damage was caused but two boys suffered from smoke inhalation though they were not taken to hospital.

The blaze came just days after an Islamic centre in London’s Muswell Hill was burnt to the ground amid suggestions it was a racist attack.

The building was daubed with the letters “EDL”, apparently referencing the English Defence League. That blaze prompted fears that the fire may have been a reprisal attack in the wake of the Woolwich murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.

School principal Mustafa Musa said intruders started the fire in the school teaching area, but did not say how it was started or if the culprits broke into the building.

London Fire Brigade said the fire was under control in less than an hour after being called.