A MAJOR fire at a Stockton school was started deliberately, police have confirmed, despite early reports that it was caused by an electrical fault.

The fire at King Edwin School at Norton, near Stockton on Tuesday, December 9 took place during a 24-hour Fire Brigade strike but firefighters did respond and sent five engines to deal with the blaze.

Flames took hold in the art classroom and an adjoining storage area at 10.32am and the first firefighters on the scene from Stockton were forced to call for back-up from Thornaby and Middlesbrough.

The fire was eventually brought under control by 12.15pm. Everybody in the school was evacuated safety and no-one was hurt.

The school, which re-opened last year after being derelict for several years, specialises in helping children with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. It has been in the news recently due to a controversial plan to bring looked-after children back to Stockton and there have been protests against new children's homes being opened in the district.

One of those homes will be in Hartburn, Stockton and ward councillor, Ken Lupton, asked a high-ranking council officer what had caused the fire and was initially told it was thought to be an electrical fault.

He relayed that information to his constituents but it has turned out to be incorrect. However Cllr Lupton said he was sure he was told the information in good faith.

Stockton council confirmed that it was at first thought the fire was caused by an electrical fault due to on-going construction work but also stressed the information was relayed to Cllr Lupton in good faith.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said two young people had been interviewed in connection with the arson but no-one had been arrested or charged.