A PASSING motorist saved St Anne's Primary School, Waterfoot, from possible severe fire damage after an arson attack.
The motorist reported seeing a glow from the basement at about 11pm last night.
Fire crews arrived to find someone had pushed paper through a door leading to the boiler house and central heating oil tank.
Sub-officer Nick Clough, of Rawtenstall fire station, said: "There was the potential for a serious incident. It was fortunate that it was reported in time.''
The fire caused severe damage to the door but was stopped from spreading to the oil tank by fire crews from Rawtenstall and Bacup.
The incident is under investigation.
Deputy head Pam Barnes said: "The incident has not affected the main school building and was luckily confined to the boilerhouse thanks to the alert motorist."
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