Three teenage girls have been charged after a fire destroyed a north-east primary school’s art classrooms.
Firefighters tackled the blaze at St Andrews Primary in Fraserburgh on Sunday.
Although the main school building was not damaged, two huts used for art classes were “extensively damaged” – with equipment and school work destroyed.
Last night, parents said their children were “very upset” by the incident, while teachers are now looking for another space to hold art sessions when the school goes back after the Easter break.
Councillors said it was a huge blow for the school.
Police have now charged three girls, one aged 13 and the others aged 14, with wilful fireraising. A report will be sent to the youth justice management unit.
Isobel McDonald, chairwoman of St Andrews Primary School parent council, said last night: “We are all very upset by the fire. St Andrews is a much loved school.
“It is sad but we will get through this. Many of the pupils are upset be we are being positive about it.
“I have spoken to many parents who have expressed their sadness.
“The parent council have told the deputy head teacher that we are willing to do anything to help.”
Local councillors Brian Topping and Mark Findlater described the fire as a real “blow” to the community.
Mr Topping said: “It is a massive blow for the school, both for the headteacher, the staff and the pupils.
“It is a black day for the school as far as the inconvenience and the amount of mess that has got to be cleared up.”
Mr Findlater, who is also vice-chairman of the education committee, added: “It is a terrible situation for the kids to lose all their stuff.
“I am disappointed that it has happened. It is a sad state of affairs.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said teachers are now looking to find a new location for the art unit.
He said: “We can confirm two non-linked accommodation buildings were damaged by a fire at St Andrews Primary School in Fraserburgh on Sunday evening.
“The head teacher is identifying alternative classroom space to accommodate the activities in the school.
“We would like to thank Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for the help they have given us.”
Firefighters were called to the scene at about 5pm, with two crews working for about 90 minutes to extinguish the flames and make the scene, on the town’s Charlotte Street, safe.
A police spokeswoman said: “The art unit at the school was extensively damaged as a result of the fire with all the equipment within the building damaged beyond repair.
“Three youths aged 13, 14 and 14 have been charged and a report will be sent to the youth justice management unit.”
