Fire swept through a Chepstow school in the early hours of Friday morning (3rd June), destroying a building and hundreds of pounds worth of new equipment.

The infants building at Thornwell Primary School has been burnt down to the ground – a building that contained three classrooms, a nursery unit and infant hall.

As daylight broke on Friday morning, stunned parents gathered to see the damage as firefighters continued to tackle the blaze.

Headteacher Linda Davies has the job of accomodating the school's 125 infants and 60 nursery children when they return from their half-term holiday.

They will share the remaining facilities with 160 junior pupils. Demountables, a library and other rooms will be turned into classrooms.

"The fire crews are still putting it out at the moment," Mrs Davies told the Beacon this morning.

"They don't think they will finish their investigations today so they will come back tomorrow.

"The plan at the moment is to open the school to staff on Monday morning so we can reorganise.

"We have the junior department and some demountables but the nursery and infants is completely destroyed. It is a shame.

"We have recently had the girls and boys' toilets refurbished and had new carpets put down. We have spent hundreds of pounds and had new tricycles, trolleys and other play equipment.

"I had a phone call at about 1.30am and came straight down. At the moment people from the local authority are here checking the electricity and water supply."

Amanda Shilling, whose son attends the school, said she received a text message from her father at 1.50am after he was awaken by the sirens.

"I had a phone call at 8.30am from another mum then I came down," she said.

"It's a bit of a shock and all the children's PE equipment and school work was in there. It's typical because they normally bring things home before half-term.

"The PTA also spent a lot of money on a play area and bikes. I went to this school and that's why I wanted my kids to come here.

"The fact it started when it did does make you suspicious."

Another parent, Larissa Greeno, said her child had asked if a dragon had started the fire.

"It is a gorgeous school and the teachers are fantastic," she added.

Firefighters are still damping down at the scene and police have closed off part of Thornwell Road.