An overnight fire at West End Campus in Dundee is being treated as deliberate, police say.
Four fire crews worked through the night after a blaze on Sunday night.
The campus, on Glenagnes Road, is home to St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Victoria Park Primary and Balgay Hill nursery.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service says a number of calls were made by members of the public and three fire appliances were despatched, along with a high-reach vehicle.
West End Campus fire broke out in stairwell
It’s understood the fire broke out within the east stairwell at the site and took almost eight hours to extinguish.
Police confirmed it is being treated as deliberate and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Noreen Adam, whose daughter attends the campus, told The Courier the fire was thought to have been put out when smoke was again seen pouring from the roof.
She said: “The firefighters were all but away having seemingly dealt with the fire when I noticed smoke coming from the roof and from the bricks.
“Immediately one of the fire officers radioed in for more support and there was a lot of rushing about as fire crews when back to tackle the fire.
“It looked like the fire had continued in the wall cavity.
“It’s so lucky that they hadn’t left the scene as another few minutes and the fire could have spread right across the building.
“That would have engulfed the school which would have been a disaster.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received the first alert at 11.30pm on Sunday to a fire at West End Campus on Blackness Road.
“Two appliances as well as a high-reach vehicle were despatched from Blackness Road station.
“In addition, an appliance was also sent from Macalpine Road station to assist.
“Officers continued at the site as the fire was brought under control.
“The last appliance left the scene at 7.30am on Monday.
“A further inspection of the building will be undertaken on Monday morning by officers to ensure the area is safe.”
Police say the fire was started deliberately and have now launched an investigation into the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11.40pm police were called to a report of a fire at a school campus on Glenagnes Road, Dundee.
“Police are treating the fire as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.
“Officers are checking CCTV in the area but would appeal to anyone who saw people in the school grounds on Sunday evening or night or who may have any information that may assist the police investigation, to get in touch.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “A fire was reported overnight at the West End Campus.
“The fire was extinguished by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“The fire damage has been contained to the east stairwell area of the building with water damage to other adjacent areas.
“Further inspections of the building are taking place today, and a police investigation is under way in relation to the incident.”
Information can be passed to police via 101 quoting reference number 3967 of July 2.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The fire came just 24 hours after several fire crews battled a blaze at in industrial estate in Dundee.
