POLICE investigating a suspected arson at a North-East primary school fear it may be a copycat attack following other fires in the area.

Fire crews were called to Annfield Plain Infant School, near Stanley, at about 6pm last night.

A blaze is believed to have been started in a bin compound, which spread to the building, near the main entrance.

It follows several major fires that have blighted Stanley in the last 18 months and comes the weekend before police and firefighters launch a week of action to tackle arson.

Detective Inspector Gavin Heckles said: “It is recognised that concerns will be raised about another fire in the Stanley area.

“We do not believe this fire to be connected to previous fires, but can’t rule out that it was started as an attempt of notoriety or to copy a previous event.

“What is clear is that this was a stupid, mindless act, which should not be tolerated and I urge anyone with information to come forward and speak with us.

“Annfield Plain is a close community, and those responsible for this fire will be known by someone.”

Before Christmas in 2013 two Victorian buildings in Front Street, Stanley, were destroyed by fire and last weekend an accidental fire gutted a comic book store nearby.

Andrew Derbyshire, 21, of Cheviot Terrace, Stanley, is to go on trial at Durham Crown Court following a spate of fires at Joicey Gardens and Reynolds Close and one at Burnside Primary School in Stanley in February.

Staff and members of the community have been at infant school today clearing up the mess and making it safe for pupils to return.

The school has confirmed on its Facebook page that it will be open as usual on Monday.

A spokesman said: “The school building is safe and our lovely staff have been in to clean so that everything is back to normal for the children.

“A big ‘thank you’ to our vigilant neighbours and local fire brigade for being so prompt. They saved our lovely school.”

District Commander Ken Ball, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, praised firefighters and said they prevented flames from spreading, which would have extensive damage to the building.

He said: “When crews got there was compound that was well alight and was spreading through windows to the building. The bins were destroyed and it was quite intense.

“The crews did a really good job and got inside quickly to stop it spreading.

“It is sad though because it is a school and it is the kids that suffer at the end of the day.”

Police have issued a description of the four young people they would like to talk to, including a girl, who is white, around 14 years old with long blonde hair and a green parker coat.

She was with three boys, all white and around 12-14 years old.

Two of the boys wore dark jackets and were slim in build with dark hair, while the other was bit shorter and plumper, wearing a grey onesie and riding a very small bike which appeared far too small for him.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call the police non-emergency number 101.