A FIRE that gutted part of a Torfaen primary school is understood to have spread to the building after a lean-to shelter was deliberately set alight.

Coed Eva Primary School is planning to re-open to its pupils on Monday, January 11, following the fire which destroyed the infant and nursery block in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Representatives from Gwent Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended a Cwmbran Community Council meeting on Wednesday night, as part of their monthly police and fire updates.

Inspector David Morgan of Gwent Police said: “We have arrested and bailed six people from the Cwmbran area, four individuals aged 14-15 with two aged 18 and 21.

“Forensic investigations are ongoing to prove or disprove their involvement in the incident and items of clothing have been taken in for examination.”

From information available to the police and fire service at this stage in their joint investigation, the shelter fire grew until became uncontrollable and spread.

Cwmbran fire station commander Mike Wyatt said: “Once the fire had taken control of the infant and nursery block, it became very dangerous to send firefighters in to tackle it from the inside.

“The design of the building made it difficult to control, and once the flames began to attack the junior building, it was decided to do what we could to prevent it spreading.”

Meanwhile, parents and pupils have begun fundraising events for the fire fund and will be in Gwent Square at Cwmbran Shopping to collect donations.

A crowdfunding page started by a former pupil has raised more than £3,800 in under a week, but the children are keen to get involved with the fundraising projects for their school.

“This fundraising event is going to be a great way of getting our children involved and for us all to say thanks to our amazing community for their support,” said event organiser Jemma Britton, whose daughter is in the school’s reception class.

The Saturday fundraising bucket collection runs from 11am-3pm with face painting, characters from Disney films in attendance and a balloon artist, who arrives in the afternoon.

In case of poor weather, the fundraising event will move under cover to Monmouth Square.