Scottish Home Affairs Minister Henry McLeish officially launched an Internet based fire safety teaching programme at Inchview Primary School in Edinburgh on Friday.

The site includes advice on identifying and eliminating fire hazards and smoke alarms.

Eight out of 10 fires occur at home

It also covers areas such as what to do in event of a fire and the danger of hoax calls.

The pilot scheme has initially been set up in Inchview School but it will eventually be available to every school in Scotland with Internet access.

The project was developed by the Scottish Fire Service, funded by the Scottish Office and produced by web consultancy Company Net.

Mr McLeish said the project would help to move towards safer communities through improved fire safety education.

It¦ aims to assist in reducing the toll of fire deaths and injuries in Scotland which amounted to 102 fatalities last year.

Mr McLeish said: "Today's children are tomorrow's adults, and I am delighted that all those involved in fire safety have come together to improve the already sterling work being done in schools throughout Scotland.

"What we have today is an innovative, hi-tech method of delivering fire safety education in our schools."

Eight out of 10 deaths from fire happen in the home, and of those it is believed six out of every 10 deaths can be avoided if working smoke alarms is in place.

The programme will soon be available across Scotland

Mr McLeish said: "Every death caused by fire is an avoidable tragedy, and we must do all we can to reduce the needless toll of deaths, injuries and damage.

"Getting the fire safety message across to tomorrow's adults at an early stage plays a vital part in promoting safer homes and safer communities."

Mr McLeish said this new method of providing the service on the Internet used fewer resources than traditional mobile classrooms to far better effect.

He said: "Once all schools have access to the Internet, even the most remote will be able to use this high quality and flexible educational package.