A teenage boy has been charged in connection with a blaze at an Aberdeen school that caused more than £100,000 of damage.
Firefighters were called to Harlaw Academy in the early hours of Saturday, and spent more than two hours tackling various blazes around the building.
Yesterday police confirmed a 14-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the incident, and reported to the authorities.
It comes as Aberdeen City Council started counting the cost of the blaze, which is understood to have caused a repair bill worth a “six-figure sum”.
Pupils also returned to the classroom yesterday, after the 900-strong school was shut on Monday.
It is understood four classrooms were damaged in the blaze, with one in the B-block requiring significant repairs.
Last night Queens Cross councillor Ross Thomson said it was “heart-breaking” and that the incident was a “mindless act of vandalism” – which had disrupted pupils education, caused extensive damage and frustrated the community.
“I’m glad that the police have been working hard to find those who are responsible,” he said.
“I’m pleased that progress is being made on that to give the public comfort and reassurance that something is being done and that the community is being kept safe.”
He added “a tremendous amount of work” went into making sure the bricks and mortar of schools was fit for purpose and pupils had a good environment in which to learn.
But he added: “The whole episode is extremely disappointing.”
Fellow local councillor Martin Greig said it would be challenging to cover the cost of the repairs, given the “considerable pressures on the education budget”.
He added: “It’s already very challenging to find resources to maintain school buildings, so given the very small funds available to do routine work it’s very unfair to be faced with this considerable extra cost.
“There are many other good causes which this money could be spent on and it’s very regrettable that we’re having to repair willful damage to an important building.
“It’s very unwelcome, it’s very unfair for the school community to have to suffer in this way.”
Councillor Jennifer Stewart added: “When I first heard about the fire I was really upset and really disheartened.
“To happen at all but to a happen at this time of year is particularly bad.”
Four fire engines and three specialist units attended the burning school in Albyn Place at about 1.30am, and crews found several broken windows and a number of small fires.
The alarm was raised by a member of the public who spotted the smoke and heard the school’s fire alarm.
A total of 18 firefighters worked for more than two hours to get hold of the situation and used breathing apparatus and hose reels jets to help combat the flames.
The school was shut on Monday, prompting the cancellation of the Christmas concert and the talent show was also postponed.
The worst affected areas have been sealed off from pupils and staff, including the library so specialist cleaning and repair work can continue this week and during the Christmas holidays.