FLAMES engulfed part of a Burnley school after a suspected arson attack, destroying one classroom and severely damaging other areas of the building.

Firefighters were called to Stoneyholme Primary School, in Oswald Street, at 6.20pm yesterday.

They spent more than three and a half hours tackling the fire and clearing up the damage to the infants' section of the school.

Today a school governor blasted the "shameful act of vandalism" but vowed that lessons would not be cancelled when pupils return after the Easter holiday, on Tuesday May 2.

Station officer Paul Harvey said: "The school looks like it is divided into four separate buildings that are all linked by corridors to a communal area.

"The fire was contained to one of those sections, where a classroom was destroyed and the communal area badly damaged by fire.

"It was a serious fire and we believe it was started from outside the premises."

Bernie, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's investigation dog, was brought in to search for evidence and the police are investigating.

The firefighters were called to the school as they returned from another fire at a nearby unoccupied terraced house in Howsin Street. Sergeant Mick Heyworth, of Burnley police, said: "It looks like arson and the school was broken into prior to the fire occurring.

"There was another fire in Howsin Street which is not too far away but whether the two are connected or not we can't say at the moment."

School governor Rafique Malik said: "It is a very shameful act of vandalism and I was extremely distressed when I was telephoned yesterday and went to see what had happened.

"Fortunately the fire brigade were able to control the fire or it could have devastated the whole building .

"It may be that that section can be made fit to use but it will take quite some time.

"It looks like a couple of rooms will be closed and the infants will have to be accommodated in other rooms and teachers will be reorganising the classes."

Ward councillor Mozaquir Ali said: "I am shocked. I had been out of town so I didn't know anything about it.

"There has been concern expressed by head teachers recently about there being a lot of activity outside schools in the evenings with young people hanging about. It is very sad."