Two weeks after a fire broke out at the local primary school in Junglinster, mayor Ben Ries has confirmed that the total damage is estimated at approximately €350,000. The bulk of the costs, he said, stem from cleaning and disinfection efforts.
Although the fire itself was small and extinguished quickly, the blaze originated in a plastic paper dispenser, which produced a significant amount of smoke. Given the scale of the fire, Ries noted that the resulting damage is substantial.
According to Ries, the absence of ongoing maintenance work or any technical malfunction led investigators to conclude that the fire was deliberately set. However, he refrained from elaborating on that aspect, citing the young age of the pupils at the school and a desire to protect those involved.
Soot has blackened various surfaces throughout the affected areas, and in some places, the residue cannot be removed. Additionally, several students' personal belongings – particularly fabric items such as clothing and backpacks – are likely beyond cleaning and will have to be discarded, the mayor added.
The National Health Directorate has confirmed that disposal was the only viable option. While Ries acknowledged that the situation was “not nice,” he emphasised that insurance coverage is in place for such incidents. Affected families have been informed that the school must compile a list of lost items, which will be reimbursed through a policy held by the Ministry of Education.
Currently, 10 of the 19 classes have returned to their regular classrooms. The remaining classes will not be able to re-enter their rooms before the summer holidays and have been relocated to other spaces within the school campus. All areas are expected to be fully operational by the start of the new school year in September.
