A BLAZE which wrecked disused classrooms at a Bishop Auckland school may have been started deliberately.

The building at King James I Community College was left in such a dangerous condition by Saturday night's fire that investigators could not get inside yesterday.

The 60m by 20m single-storey teaching block, which would have been in use when the school's most famous old boy comedian Stan Laurel was a pupil, was one of a number due to be demolished in the New Year.

Neighbours said yesterday the buildings should have been bulldozed sooner because they were a constant target for vandals.

One said: "We are fed up with it. There seems to be a fire a week."

Two fire crews from Bishop Auckland, one each from Newton Aycliffe and Darlington and an appliance from Durham spent nearly five hours tackling the blaze, which was in the building's roof void.

Walls caved in and much of the building was left little more than a pile of rubble.

Inspector Helen McMillan, from Bishop Auckland police, said last night: "The cause of the fire would appear to be suspicious, but the building is too dangerous for us to carry out a thorough investigation. We will liaise with the fire brigade on Monday morning."

The school's 80-year-old former gymnasium, which is next to the teaching block, has been boarded up since an arson attack in March.

It was dedicated to ex-pupils who died in the First World War and was also due to be demolished to make way for new development, including a sports hall.