An investigation has been launched after a blaze destroyed the wing of an Aberdeenshire primary school.
The nursery and primary one classroom at Kinellar Primary at Blackburn have been left a blackened mess after the fire, which broke out early yesterday morning.
Nearby residents said the flames were up to 20ft, with about 30 firefighters working through the night to bring them under control after getting the call at 2.15am.
The gutted buildings were still smoldering almost 12 hours later.
And a fire crew was called back to the school at about 3pm to dampen it down further, as it flared up again.
Anne Gibson, 71, could see the fire from their home, which overlooks the school.
Her son, Lawrence, 42, fled the property with his dog and Mrs Gibson returned home later with a friend to discover the fire.
“We had to spend about two hours in the car before the police would let us into the house,” she said.
“I don’t think the house was ever in danger because the wind was blowing.”
Mr Gibson was shocked to see the school ablaze and said his father had been headmaster there previously.
“The bit that’s burned down, I can remember before it was built and I can remember it being built,” he said.
Sergeant Sandra Crighton said: “Inquiries are at an early stage and we are working jointly with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.
“The loss of such a key building within the local community is distressing for a number of people, in particular the pupils, parents and staff of the school.
“Until the ongoing examinations of the building and scene are completed, we are keeping an open mind as to the cause, but I would still appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time
was discovered, or earlier that night, to come forward.”
Aberdeenshire Council’s chief executive Jim Savage shared close up images of the damage online and said it was a terrible way to start the New Year.
However, a spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council confirmed the school would still reopen as planned on Wednesday.
She said: “Part of the building serving nursery and primary one classes has been damaged.
“This will not affect teaching and the school will be made safe for re-opening on Wednesday, January 6. We thank the community for its support and further information will be issued directly to parents.”
Anyone with information should call 101.