SCHOOL chiefs are to bring in ten temporary classrooms at Smithills School after a fire tore through one of the main buildings.

The blaze broke out in the east wing of the upper building of the school in Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, on Saturday morning. Three classrooms were wrecked and six others left smoke damaged.

Structural engineers are expected to examine the building this week to detail the extent of the damage.

Police are treating the blaze as arson and are planning to carry out door-to-door inquiries in the area.

Forensic investigators are examining shards of glass for fingerprints as they search for clues.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said they were putting in contingency plans to help the school.

"We are putting in ten temporary classrooms and a toilet block," he said. "Not all of the classrooms in the building are unusable, but we want to keep pupils away from the area where building work will now have to be carried out. The building is going to be out of action for some weeks."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said there was a history of vandalism and of youths drinking in the area, and small fires have been started near the school in the past.

Three classrooms were wrecked and a further six suffered smoke damage in the blaze, which broke out at 7.40am.

An adjoining staircase was put out of action, meaning 14 classrooms are now out of use.

Headteacher Ken Howell said the school would remain closed to pupils on Monday, January 9, although members of staff would be at work.

On Tuesday, January 10, Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 will return to school. But Year 7 will remain at home all next week.

It is hoped all year groups will be back at school from Monday, January 16, but letters will be sent to parents this week to confirm details.

Firefighters saved one of the schools main computer rooms. But some modern languages and media studies coursework is thought to have been ruined by the fire.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The school says work for Year 7 pupils, who will not be able to return to school next week, will be available on the schools website www.smith ills.bolton.sch.uk or from the school office from next Tuesday.