Deadly asbestos has been released by the fire that ripped through a Bradford college causing £1.5 million damage.

The asbestos was contained within the Carlton Bolling Community College, until the flames took hold and destroyed 15 classrooms of the technology block.

At its height, 85 firefighters from across West Yorkshire tackled the blaze on Sunday night, risking serious injury as high winds fanned the flames.

Specialists will now have to be called in to clear the asbestos and students face being moved to other schools in the area until the work is completed.

Head teacher of the Undercliffe Lane college Simon Willis said today: "We knew it was there and it was safe but obviously the fire changed this."

Bradford Council is now trying to decide how it can get the pupils back to lessons as quickly as possible.

Mr Willis said he feared the final bill for the blaze could be massive.

He said: "Taking rebuilding into account as well as replacing a lot of expensive equipment, the damage could easily run into millions. We have lost our entire technology block and the sports hall.

"It means we are not in a position to deliver the curriculum even for physical education.

"In the short term we might have to utilise the spare capacity of other local schools.

"In the longer term we are looking for some kind of temporary classrooms while the school is rebuilt."

Roger Smith, Bradford's Education Assistant Director, said: "The full extent of damage is still being assessed but it is likely to be in the region of £1.5 million."

He said the total bill for arsons in the past decade was £10 million.

Mr Willis said many pupils, their parents and members of staff have been deeply affected by the fire.

"People are genuinely distressed," he said. "I can promise one thing, that we will deliver teaching and learning. That is at the top of our list."

Mr Willis has already let examining boards know that vital GCSE work was destroyed in the fire.

He said: "I do want to reassure pupils that they will not be disadvantaged in exams, even if their course work has been burned."

Another victim of the fire is a sixth form production due to be staged in the now gutted drama studio tonight. The show was intended to raise money for the Chechnya Relief Fund but has now been cancelled.

Police want to hear from witnesses who saw anything suspicious around the school between 7pm and 9pm on Sunday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det Insp Ian Wilson on Bradford 376480.

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