“I was very concerned to hear of this incident and it is incredibly fortunate that no one was badly hurt. We have a very good track record of community relations in Chislehurst and it is most regrettable that a crime of this nature has taken place here. Having spoken to both the Police and Fire Service, it is clear that they are treating this mater very seriously and I welcome the statement made by the Borough Commander, Steph Roberts, with which I agree entirely.”
“The Police have announced this morning that arrests have been made. Because of sub judice issues, we need to be careful with what we say and avoid speculation until the full facts are know, but anyone who has any further information that may help Police enquires should call 101 to talk to investigators.”
Bob Neill MP
Statement from the Borough Commander Steph Roberts
We are investigating a fire at the Darul Uloom School in Foxbury Avenue, Chislehurst.
Emergency services were called to the school at around ten to midnight on Saturday night, 8th June.
The fire was extinguished shortly after the arrival of London Fire Brigade.
Two people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation; but they did not require hospital treatment.
128 pupils and staff of the school were evacuated. They were able to go back into the school earlier this morning.
There was minor damage to the school building.
The fire is being treated as suspicious. Police enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.
We would ask members of the public to remain calm and not to speculate as to the cause of the fire. A full investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call police on 101 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
There is an increased police presence around potentially vulnerable locations across the borough and indeed across London, including additional patrols to provide reassurance and deter crime.
Statement from the Commissioner
Following the fire at the Darul Uloom School in Chislehurst, the Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said:
"These are difficult times for London's communities. The Met is now investigating suspicious fires at two locations within the Islamic community which have happened in the past few days. Fortunately no one has been hurt, but we know that fires can often prove fatal.
"So I want to reassure people that we are using our full range of policing tactics to protect sites that might be vulnerable. In all boroughs across London, there is an increased police presence around locations that might be at risk. We will maintain a 24/7 guard of uniformed officers at sites we consider to be at greatest risk.
"Detectives are working tirelessly to establish whether these fires were started deliberately, and if so, to catch those responsible.
"We should not allow the murder of Lee Rigby to come between Londoners. The unified response we have seen to his death across all communities will triumph over those who seek to divide us."