Two boys arrested as fire rips through historic derelict school building in Whaley Bridge

Fire crews from five stations were called to tackle the large fire at the abandoned building

A blaze ripped through a derelict building in a Derbyshire town last night (Sunday, October 13). Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene of the fire at the former Taxal Lodge school building in Whaley Bridge this morning (Monday, October 14).

Fire crews were called at 20.35pm last night to the building on Linglongs Road after reports of a large blaze at the abandoned building. The fire service called out crews from New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Chapel, Chesterfield and Buxton to tackle the blaze.

Officers have now confirmed that two 15-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson. They both remain in police custody.

The fire crews and Derbyshire police officers were still confirmed to be in attendance, as of 10.20am this morning (Monday, October 14). A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue said: "Crews from Whaley Bridge and Chapel remain in attendance this morning (Monday 14 October) supported by a Chesterfield with the aerial ladder platform (ALP) and Ashbourne with a water carrier.

"Local residents are advised to please keep windows and doors closed if they see or smell smoke, and to please avoid the area."

The building was built in 1904 and was used as a community special school until 1998 and has since been the target of a proposed redevelopment. The building has been the subject of numerous fires in the past and has suffered extensive damage as a result.