A major fire at a Stockton school which destroyed a classroom was started deliberately, it has been confirmed.
The blaze at King Edwin School in Norton, near Stockton, happened in December during a 24-hour Fire Brigade strike.
Firefighters did respond however and five engines were sent to the scene.
Flames had taken hold in the art classroom and an adjoining storage area at 10.32am on December 9 and the first firefighters on the scene from Stockton were forced to call for back-up from Thornaby and Middlesbrough.
The fire was eventually brought under control by 12.15pm. Everybody in the Mill Lane school was evacuated safety and no-one was hurt.
But the classroom and the storage area were completely destroyed by fire and the remaining building sustained smoke damage.
The school, which re-opened last year after being derelict for several years, specialises in helping children with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties.
A Freedom of Information request was made over the cause of the fire.
Cleveland Fire Brigade responded by stating: “This was caused by combustible materials deliberately brought together with a source of ignition.”
A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said two young people had been interviewed in connection with the arson but no-one had been arrested or charged.
A spokesman for Stockton Council said children are currently being taught in an unaffected area of the school.
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