A fire that tore through a former Kirkcaldy secondary school was started deliberately, police have confirmed.
Officers say that they are already following “positive lines of enquiry” as they continue to investigate Monday’s blaze at the old Viewforth High School.
Large parts of the Loughborough Road building were damaged in the incident, with smoke from the fire visible from as far away as the town centre.
Confirming that the listed building was deliberately set alight, Detective Inspector Paul Dick of Kirkcaldy CID said: “Significant damage has been caused to this building and enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.
“We are already following a number of positive lines of enquiry, however, I would urge anyone with information to contact Kirkcaldy CID immediately on 101, or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Fire crews from Kirkcaldy, Burntisland and Methil were scrambled to the scene at around 5.40pm in a desperate bid to halt the blaze from spreading.
The fire is thought to have originated in the roof space of the school’s annexe, formerly known as Eastbank House, which is understood to have sustained significant damage.
The building dates back to around 1870 and was initially occupied by John Scott, a local engineer and shipbuilder.
Eastbank was then bought by Henry William Hutchison, of East Bridge Flour Mills, in 1902 and significant alternations were carried out before Fife County Council later purchased the building in 1929.
After decades as Viewforth High School, class was dismissed for the last time in June 2016, when the building was replaced by the new Viewforth within Windmill Community Campus, on nearby Windmill Road.
