THE actions of arsonists could set back the development of a multi-million pound school for the borough’s most vulnerable youngsters.

Firefighters were called to the new Millwood Special School site, in Abden Street, Radcliffe, and managed to catch two teenagers seen fleeing the area.

Crews from Whitefield and Farnworth were called shortly before 11pm last Thursday after reports of a large quantity of smoke in the area.

A fire had started on a doorway and spread to cladding on the new £10 million development for Millwood Special School, which is being constructed on the site of the former Radcliffe High School.

A classroom was badly damaged in the blaze.

Firefighters saw a group running from the area. They managed to apprehend two teenagers and handed them over to police.

Watch commander, Gary Stredder, said: “A doorway and cladding were well alight.

“The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes. This incident is what we call a good stop. Had the fire been left for another few minutes, it would have spread to other parts of the development.”

Police confirmed that two 18-year-olds had been arrested on suspicion of burglary and arson.

The new school — to replace the current building in Fletcher Fold Road, Bury — will be single-storey, with a main hub and separate areas for children with different educational needs, including 14 classrooms, a hydrotherapy room, staff and training areas, and a library.

Construction work started in October and is due to be completed by November this year, though there are concerns this could now be delayed.

Paul Higgins, project manager for contractor ISG, said: “The damage to that part of the building means it will need taking down and rebuilding. We are looking at the implications that will have on the completion date.

“We have now increased security on the site to combat people breaking in and causing damage in future.”

A Bury Council spokesman said: “It is concerning to hear that two people have been arrested on suspicion of arson as this new building will bring a lot of benefit to our local community. We will, of course, be assisting both the police and fire service with their investigations.

“There was extensive damage to one classroom but, the contractor is not yet clear whether it will have an impact on the final completion, which is scheduled for November.”

Headteacher, Helen Chadwick, said: “This incident is very distressing as it affects children who are very young and very vulnerable.

“Millwood children are entitled to a safe school. The people who have set this fire to our children’s new school must understand this.”