Asbestos Found In Debris After St Leonards Convent Fire

Specialist contractors are continuing to clean up after asbestos was found in the debris from a fire at a disused convent in St Leonards.

Firefighters were called to the former College of the Holy Child Jesus on Magdalen Road at around 5pm last Thursday, with work now underway to safely clear the surrounding area.

Hastings Borough Council deputy leader Julia Hilton said nearby roads are being cleaned and reopened, while a local school has returned after an air assessment found no asbestos present in the air.

She said residents should avoid touching any large pieces of debris found on their property.

"Even though the fire was awful, thankfully the library is safe," she said.

"There was no asbestos in the air and the school was safe to open again, but there is asbestos in the debris."

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said asbestos is only dangerous when fibres become airborne and are breathed in, adding that a single short-term exposure should not significantly affect health.

Two boys, aged 13 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of arson and have since been released on conditional bail, Sussex Police said.

The fire is believed to have started on the third floor of the former Catholic college, which closed in 1976.

The building was later used as a language school before falling into disrepair, although its chapel remains Grade II listed.