A MOPPING-UP operation has been taking place at a Barrhead school after it was set alight by firebugs.

St Mark’s Primary suffered “extensive damage” as a result of Sunday night’s blaze.

Emergency crews were called to the school at around 9pm, with smoke seen billowing from the building.

Police have launched an investigation and have confirmed the incident is being treated as wilful fireraising.

Officers had cordoned off Roebank Drive until the area was made safe after 11.30pm.

Inspector Michelle Grant told the Barrhead News: “We received a call around 9.30pm on Sunday following reports of a fire at St Mark’s Primary School.

“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished but the building suffered extensive damage.

“We are carrying out enquiries in an effort to establish who was responsible.”

Children are due to return to the school for lessons on Wednesday, August 18, after their summer break, with East Renfrewshire Council pledging to carry out repairs “as quickly as possible.”

A council spokesperson said: “Following the fire at St Mark’s Primary on Sunday night, our staff will assess the damage, alongside colleagues from Scottish Fire and Rescue. The required repair works will be carried out as quickly as possible.

“We await further updates from police and fire colleagues about the cause of the fire.”

The damage to the school has left some parents concerned about the prospects of their children being able to return as planned next month.

One worried mum, who asked not to be named, told the Barrhead News: “I was in that part of town on Sunday night and saw the flames and smoke pouring from the school roof.

“It looked like a bad fire, although the emergency services did a good job in bringing it under control.

“I imagine the school will have suffered a lot of damage – both from the flames and the smoke, as well as all of the water that was poured into it to bring the blaze under control.

“Hopefully the council will have it repaired in time for the kids to go back as scheduled.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that no-one was injured as a result of the blaze.

He added: “We were alerted at 8.53pm on Sunday to reports of a building on fire at St Mark’s Primary School.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the scene and firefighters extinguished a fire on the roof of a single-storey building.

“Crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”

Anyone who has information about the fire is asked to contact police via 101. Alternatively, details can be passed to the Crimestoppers charity anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.