Suspicious fire at school

A fire that destroyed two recently refurbished classrooms at a Canterbury primary school has been deemed suspicious. Firefighters were called to Kaiapoi North School, north of Christchurch, about 1.45am yesterday. The blaze gutted two classrooms and a cloakroom between them. Kaiapoi North School principal Jason Miles said the classrooms were refurbished at the end of last year as part of a school upgrade. ‘‘We’re devastated, absolutely devastated, for the children in there, the teachers and the community,’’ Miles said. The school was closed yesterday but was aiming to reopen today.