RESIDENTS have been praised for their rapid response to a fire at a school which could have destroyed the building.

Firefighters from Stockton were called to the Glebe Primary School, Pulford Road, Stockton, at about 8.30pm on Thursday after receiving numerous calls from neighbours.

It is thought youngsters had climbed into a secure compound and sprayed the main building with graffiti before setting an outbuilding alight.

The fire was so severe it set windows and part of the fascia of the main school alight, and if it were not for the many emergency calls the fire brigade received from neighbours, it may have engulfed the building.

One resident said: "It really is a nice place to live, but over the past couple of weeks, maybe because the schools are on holiday, we have had a lot of youngsters hanging about.

"They tend to meet in the school on a night and just seem to mess about. There is no need to do something like this, which could have such a serious outcome.

"You often see them in small groups and they can seem quite intimidating. Thankfully, the school did not go up in flames, but there was quite a bit of smoke."

Ward councillor Ann Cains, who is also a school governor, said: "The residents have averted a major tragedy. I would just like to say a big well-done to them."

Julia Morrison, of Stockton Borough Council's education, leisure and cultural services department, said: "We are grateful for the prompt reaction of the neighbours which prevented the fire from causing more damage.

"It is a minority who act in this way and we are grateful the majority act in such a responsible manner as was seen by the speedy response of the many neighbours who alerted the fire brigade."