A fire which gutted a classroom at Keighley's Highfield Middle School was started deliberately.

After studying evidence of the incident, fire investigation officers now say the blaze, which destroyed a science lab at the Spencer Street school, was started maliciously. The temporary classroom was badly damaged by the fire on the evening of Tuesday, December 22.

The blaze ripped through the lab damaging the walls, ceiling and floor, as well as causing heavy smoke damage which destroyed text books and pupils' work. The interior of the classroom was heavily blackened by the smoke which covered the walls, ceiling and windows.

Fire Investigation Officer, Ian Purcell says: "It was started deliberately by somebody who lit a fire outside the premises, which burnt through the wall into the building."

The temporary classroom - situated in the corner of the school playground - is to be demolished. Staff have rearr-anged the timetable, and pupils who returned to school on Wednesday will be accommodated in the main building.

Police have launched an investigation into the fire.

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