by Hayley Robinson

Two teenage girls have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire broke out in a school PE block.

The blaze started in a waste paper bin in the changing room area, which is on the sports field at Sittingbourne Community College, in Swanstree Avenue.

Two appliances from Sittingbourne and Faversham arrived within minutes of being called at 11am on Tuesday.

The room suffered smoke damage and copper piping was destroyed. Maintenance staff were due to start repair work, estimated at £400, the following day.

It is hoped the area will be back in use by today. Crew members tackled the blaze using breathing apparatus.

Fans were then used to clear the room of smoke.

The block wasn't in use at the time and nobody was injured.

Pupils and staff at the college and Meadowfield School, which shares the site, did not have to be evacuated as the PE block is separate from the main school buildings.

There are 1,400 children at the college and 200 pupills at Meadowfields.

Sittingbourne fire station's crew manager, Matt Barney, said: "We were there for 50 minutes. It did destroy some copper piping and a sink and the whole room will need to be washed down and redecorated. I suspect the flooring - which is a bit like a wet room floor - will also have to come up."

Head teacher, Alan Barham, said: "There was no danger to anyone. It was spotted immediately and dealt with immediately.

"Two students have been arrested and permanently excluded. Within half an hour we knew what had happened."

Police confirmed a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old-girl have been bailed until August 23 pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information, is asked to contact police on 01622 604210 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting cad log 12-0454.