POLICE investigating a £15,000 fire at a school today appealed for people who may have seen suspicious activity to come forward.The incident happened towards the end of an open evening at Orwell High in Felixstowe when up to 500 people were on the campus.

POLICE investigating a £15,000 fire at a school today appealed for people who may have seen suspicious activity to come forward.

The incident happened towards the end of an open evening at Orwell High in Felixstowe when up to 500 people were on the campus.

A fire was discovered in a cubicle in one of the sets of boys' toilets. Minor damage was caused.

A police spokeswoman said it was hoped someone attending the evening on Tuesday may have information which could help catch those who caused the fire.

“The incident is being treated as arson and we are investigating at the moment,” she said.

“There were a large number of people at the school that evening and we would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything happening in or near these toilets or saw any suspicious activity.

“The school has also handed us their CCTV tapes and officers will be studying these, too.”

People with information should contact Pc Tim Cohen of Felixstowe police on 01473 613500.

Two fire crews dealt with the small fire. Firefighters had to pull down the ceiling to check the fire had not spread.

Headteacher Peter Tomkins said repairs were being arranged.

“We understand the police investigation is going well and from our CCTV they have indentified a suspect, who was not a student from the school,” he added.

Chairman of governors John Barker said: “Obviously being open to the whole community does leave the school vulnerable to malicious attack.

“During the school day the security locks are in place and the school is not accessible. We are grateful this was a minor fire causing minor damage.”