THIS exclusive picture shows the moment flames raged through York High School as firefighters battled to control the inferno.

Captured by The Press reader Tony Walker as he went to get his morning copy of the paper, it clearly shows the ferocity of the blaze firefighters faced when they got to the scene.

Today The Press can reveal that demolition teams were moving on to the site this weekend to make it safe so that fire experts can start investigating whether or not the blaze was the work of arsonists.

Seventy firefighters from across North Yorkshire were needed to fight the fire in the first floor of the central block of the former Lowfield School, in Acomb.

Pupils will now not be able to return to classes for at least a week.

Pete Dwyer, director of learning, culture and children’s services, said: “The school will be closed next week.”