Suspicious blaze destroys classroom

Fire destroyed a classroom at a high school in Tokoroa last night, two hours before a second blaze at a local primary school.

The fire at Forest View High School was well under way when 15 Tokoroa firefighters arrived about 6.30pm.

Chief fire officer Ian Wellings said it took 20 minutes to control the blaze, but a Maori classroom was gutted.

Firefighters were called to a second fire at 8.40pm, which caused minor damage to the David Henry Primary School hall.

Fire safety officers would further investigate the fires today.