FIRE gutted the community offices at Burnley's Barden High School early today, destroying computers, furniture and files.

Eight firemen fought the 3am blaze which caused extensive smoke damage to the 400-pupil school.

Police today launched an investigation as school staff began mopping up operations, with damage estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.

But despite the damage to the recently-renovated community office, the headquarters for local groups' sports and craft activities linked to the school, it was business as usual today for the community association which has a 3,000-strong membership.

Outdoor events went ahead as planned and a school spokesman said Barden pupils would be able to proceed with GCSE examinations on Monday.

Four fire appliances, two each from Burnley and Nelson, tackled the fire which spread to the roof of the adjoining ladies' toilets in the single-storey building at Heald Road.

Flames licked the roof of the premises as firefighters used three jets and a hosereel to extinguish the blaze.

A school spokesman said many files and membership and bookings records had been destroyed.

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