ARSONISTS are being blamed for £10,000 worth of damage to a major piece of public art.
Police say work on the £1.4m Blue Carpet art project outside Newcastle's Laing Art Gallery will have to be put back a week after Wednesday night's fire.
It was damaged when fire broke out on surrounding scaffolding which collapsed on to the flooring.
When completed the Carpet, designed by London artist Thomas Heatherwick, will comprise 22,500 tiles made from a mixture of glass and resin.
A Tyne and Wear fire brigade spokesman said: "The fire was on surrounding scaffolding which was covered in plastic sheeting and wood.
"Some of that has collapsed on to the Blue carpet itself. We're not familiar with the material the carpet is made of so I couldn't say how badly damaged it may be."
Newcastle City Council chiefs have launched an investigation into the blaze. It was due to be unveiled in October, but this is due to be delayed for a week or so.
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