A FIRE which has forced a primary school to shut is being treated as suspected arson.

Bridgewater Primary School in Little Hulton will remain shut until at least the end of the week after a blaze swept through a building leaving it out-of-bounds.

An outbuilding storing gardening equipment was destroyed and damaged the sports hall.

Four fire engines from Farnworth and Eccles were called to the school at around 6.45pm on Wednesday.

They tackled the blaze within thirty minutes but remained on the scene until 9pm.

Neil Unsworth, Watch Manager at Farnworth Fire Station added: "The windows of the sports hall were damaged and we had to cut away a small part of the roof."

The headteacher and senior leadership were at the school and made the decision to close the school on Thursday and parents were informed by text and are being urged to keep an eye on the website.

A post on its website states: "Due to an incident, school will not be open Thursday or Friday. Please check the school website for any further updates."

Headteacher Emma O Reilly said: “It’s a huge shock to find your school has been attacked and damaged but everyone has been rallying round to support us. 
"The school is being assessed to make sure it’s safe for the children and staff to return. 
"We’re aiming to re-open on Monday morning subject to those assessments."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: " Firefighters tackled a fire at Bridgewater School in Little Hulton last night and as a result of the incident the school will be closed for at least two days.

"North West Fire Control received a number of calls from 6.41pm onwards on Wednesday when four fire engines from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were sent to Bridgewater Street.

"Crew members wore breathing apparatus while they tackled the blaze involving the school’s sports hall and an outhouse using hoses and jets.

"Firefighters were on scene for around three hours and the cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate."