A MAN who received a life sentence for causing millions of pounds of damage by burning down a school tried to blame others.

Yesterday arsonist Aaron Foster was locked up for at least nine years for setting fire to Mixenden Library and Ash Green Primary School.

Foster, of Stanningley Drive in Mixenden, caused £4.5 million damage to the school and £180,000 damage to the library.

The blaze reduced the Key Stage Two block at the school to a burned-out shell, destroying the work of many of its pupils.

On Thursday West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service released a clip from Foster's 999 call on the night.

He can be heard saying on three occasions: "I don't know why they have set a fire".

When, in reality, it was the 20-year-old's action that caused the facilities to burn.

The conversation was as follows.

Operator: "Did you break through to the classroom from the outside?"

Foster: "Yeah. I don't know why I have done it. I don't want to go back to prison. I just needed some money that's all."

Operator: "So you've gone through the classroom, out of the door, and into the corridor?

Foster: "Yeah. I don't why they have lit the fire."

Operator: "When you were outside, which part of the building was you at?

Foster: "I was by the car park. I don't know why they have set the fire.

"All I got told was to go and get the IPads. I don't why they have set a fire."