Classroom damaged in arson attack

Computers were destroyed in the blaze

A classroom has been destroyed in an arson attack at a primary school in County Londonderry.

The fire in a room used as the assembly hall at Roe Valley Integrated Primary School, Limavady, was discovered at about 1840 BST on Sunday.

The temporary classroom was well alight when fire crews arrived at the scene.

District commander Willie Lynch said that he believed the fire was started deliberately.

"Adjacent to (the classroom) was an oil tank which was causing some concern," he said.

"Coming from a preliminary investigation which I have carried out, I believe that the fire was started deliberately."

'Mindless damage'

The school's head teacher, Anne Quinn, said the community had been very supportive following the fire.

"We have every intention of carrying on as normal," she said.

"Although we are saddened by this kind of mindless damage, we intend to go forward.

"It has made us all stronger and the support we have had is amazing."

Ms Quinn said classes would not be disrupted. Alternative arrangements have been made to teach the children elsewhere on Monday.

The school is expected to reopen in its normal premises on Tuesday.

Ulster Unionist assembly member David McClarty condemned the arson attack and the stress it had caused to staff, pupils and parents.

"At a time when education budgets are already stretched and schools are finding it difficult to operate within extremely tight financial constraints, vandalism of this type is the last thing any school needs or deserves," he said.