School damaged in arson attack

The fire is being treated as an arson attack

A fire at a school in east Belfast is being treated as arson, the police have said.

Reports of a suspicious blaze at Orangefield High School were received by the PSNI at 2325 GMT on Sunday.

It is believed windows were smashed and three ground floor classrooms set alight.

The school principal, Karen Burrell, said the building was badly smoke-damaged.

"Liquid was poured in and set alight. It really caught the curtains initially in each of the rooms, but luckily they were flame-retardant.

"Where the liquid hit the floor it burnt floor tiles and desks and some books," she said.

"Luckily the fire didn't spread but the smoke damage did. Every room is covered in a layer of soot and the smell around the school is quite choking," said Mrs Burrell.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw suspicious activity at the school in the Cameronian Drive area.