A fire which ripped through part of Teignmouth Community School causing hundreds of thousands of pounds damage was probably caused by an electrical fault.

Experts quickly ruled out arson, and principal Tony Gray praised the swift response of firefighters, police, staff, parents and students, who rushed to the scene as soon as news of the outbreak at the technology department spread around the town.

Two classrooms were destroyed, and two others put out of action by water damage. Insurance assessors have been at the scene to survey the damage.

As well as the damage to the buildings, a large amount of valuable equipment was destroyed, which alone could cost at least £200,000 to replace.

A lot of coursework constructed by pupils was ruined,