A fire at a Maldon school is being investigated by police.

There are fears the blaze at the Upper Plume School could have been started deliberately.

The small fire started in the toilet block at about 11.40am yesterday.

The building, in Fambridge Road, was evacuated.

Students were asked to stand in the playground as fire crews brought the blaze under control within a few minutes.

The toilet block, in which it started, was severely smoke damaged.

Headteacher Sarah Dignasse said the evacuation of the school, with its 1,500 pupils, had gone "extremely smoothly".

She said all the children had been able to return to the building before lunchtime and that lessons resumed as normal.

Police have arrested someone on suspicion of arson, who has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Published Friday, March 8, 2002