More than 900 secondary pupils will be forced to stay at home tomorrow after fireraisers tried to burn down their Aberdeen school.
Firefighters were called to Harlaw Academy in the early hours of Saturday after a member of the public spotted smoke and heard the school’s fire alarm.
Four fire engines and three specialist units attended the burning school building on Albyn Place school at shortly after 1.30am.
Police officers cordoned off the area and fire crews found several broken windows and multiple small fires.
It took 18 firefighters more than two hours to bring the situation under control using breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets.
They also used two thermal imaging cameras to target specific areas in the dark.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said the fire was extinguished and the last crew left at 4.05am.
Police and fire investigators carried out a joint examination of the scene on Saturday.
Police Scotland confirmed they were treating the fire as deliberate.
A spokesman said: “The incident is currently being treated as wilful fireraising and a police and fire investigation is ongoing at this time.
“The results will be reported to the procurator fiscal.”
Yesterday local councillor Martin Greig said the disruption to school life was “appalling”.
He also condemned the culprits, saying their actions put even more pressure on the already stretched education budget.
The Hazlehead, Ashley and Queen’s Cross member added: “Damage to the school is bad enough but it is deeply worrying to think that the harm was deliberate.
“The education budget is already under huge pressure and this extra cost to repair the property is entirely unwelcome.
“It is not fair that everyone else will have to pay for the this devastating misconduct.
“A school means so much to pupils and the community because these are places where young people develop their talents and opportunities.
“The buildings deserve special care and attention.
“Anyone with useful information on the wrongdoers should report this to the police.
“I hope people can provide details that will help to track down the offenders.”
A clean-up operation is now underway to tackle smoke and fire damage.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “A classroom in the school’s B Block will require significant work to repair it while damage to the other classrooms in the block is minimal.
“A full assessment will begin on Monday.
“This will clarify the full extent of the damage, and the work required.”
Specialist deep cleaning work is also expected to be carried out before the school is ready for pupils to return.
The local authority said pupils, staff and parents had been informed of the temporary closure and will receive a further update today as to whether the school will be open tomorrow.
Anyone with information about the fire has been urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.