YOUNG arsonists who tried to burn down a York school may have been "spurred on" by the Fulford flats fire, experts warned today.

Mick Brighton, York's arson task force manager, said there was a possibility that the attempt to torch Fulford School was a "copycat" attack inspired by the fact that firefighters were tackling the huge flats blaze less than a mile away in Hospital Fields Road.

Five youngsters broke into the school's first-floor English office through the roof, and started a fire in the music room. But the blaze burnt itself out, causing only slight damage.

The incident was reported in the early hours of May 14 - while firefighters were tackling the flats blaze.

"Seeing the fire at the flats may have just spurred their imaginations," Mr Brighton said.

"It was probably a copycat attempt because kids can do lots of strange things. They are obviously in need of some counselling."

Fulford head teacher Stephen Smith said: "Obviously whoever did this might have got the idea from the Fulford Place fire and copied it.

"It was a thought the site manager and I had when we first saw it, with it being soon after that fire and with a lot of people having seen it."

He urged any witnesses to come forward.

"Bearing in mind the situation that happened at Fulford Place, we were concerned and worried," he said.

"We have had a fire before as well, back in 1998 or 1999. CCTV footage has shown five youngsters, and we are hoping to use that, plus witnesses, to identify who is responsible."

Mr Smith also said the fire could easily have caused havoc had it been much worse.

He said: "Years 11 and 12 have just gone off on exam leave.

"If the fire had taken hold, it could easily have destroyed the area where we keep our exam papers."

A police spokesman said detectives wanted to speak to anyone with information about the arson attack. Witnesses should phone 0845 6060 247.

Alan Travena, a group manager for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, said the school's close proximity to Fulford Place meant firefighters were on the scene quicker than would usually be expected. But he reiterated the dangers caused by arson attacks.

He said: "Setting fires deliberately causes a serious amount of damage, and can put people's lives at risk, including those of the firefighters."

Mr Brighton said that all schools should be fitted with a sprinkler system.

"Precautions need to be improved," he added.

In March 1999 fire gutted ten classrooms at Fulford School including four craft, design and technology (CDT) classrooms, which were refurbished at a cost of £600,000.

Another 15 classrooms had to be cleaned after being smoke damaged in the blaze.

Updated: 10:26 Tuesday, May 31, 2005