STAFF at Magdalen College School vowed that it would be “business as usual” despite a serious blaze damaging buildings on the site in East Oxford.

More than 60 firefighters were called to the independent school to stop the flames spreading from offices and the school gym and sports hall.

Fire chiefs said arson at the school in Cowley Place could not be ruled out, as they launched an investigation with police into the cause of the blaze.

Today, the fire service has said there were a number of re-inspections throughout the night and crews are expected to remain on site today to continue the investigation. 

Fire crews from Rewley Road and Slade Park fire station arrived at the school off The Plain after the alarm was raised at 7.15pm on Tuesday.

School Master Tim Hands said: “We have been in touch to reassure parents that it is business as usual.

“There are lessons taking place, exams taking place and, with luck, lunch as well.”

Mr Hands added: “Thanks to the amazing work of the fire brigade we might be looking at a damage cost that is below six figures.

“A huge amount has been saved because they arrived so quickly – the damage was a fraction of what it could have been.”

He added that regular updates were being emailed to parents and that the MCS Arts Festival,which is starting on Saturday, would go ahead.

At the height of the blaze, 12 fire engines and two aerial platforms were being used to stop the flames from spreading, and the fire was under control by about 10.45pm.

Jason Crapper, fire risk manager for Oxford, said the blaze started on an external wall of a room with a window, before “going up into the eaves of a pitched roof and then spreading”. Mr Crapper added: “We are working with police on an investigation.

“We have not ruled arson out, and until such time that has been ruled out it is still a potential crime scene.

“We had a lot of firefighters and appliances there very quickly and this could have been much worse for MCS. The firefighters did a cracking job.”

One fire engine and a hydraulic platform remained at the school last night to fight any hot spots that could flare up in the roof, said Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Dave Bray.

He added: “Crews continue to be in attendance for fire investigation, alongside police and crime scene investigators to determine a cause.”

Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Lucy Billen said: “Arson has not been ruled out – there is no obvious cause.”

A-Level exams went head as planned but Cowley Place was closed for most of the day as firefighters continued their work.

Head of PE Andy Watts said: “All the pupils had left the school by the time the fire started.

“Once the fire alarm went off, our head of security called the fire service and firefighters were arriving as staff and cleaners left the school.

“There were still about 30 people here when the fire started, cleaning staff and teachers writing reports, but as they left fire crews started to arrive. The fire started in one of the offices at the back and carried through to the gym and sports hall roof.

“The quick response from the firefighters stopped the fire spreading to other school buildings – the dining room and art and DT block could have been next.”

Incident commander, Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge, said: “The initial speed and weight of the attack from the crews helped to reduce the spread of the fire to other areas of the school. This allowed us to bring the fire under control.”

South Central Ambulance spokeswoman Michelle Archer said: “Our staff did not treat anyone.”

Neighbouring St Hilda’s College was evacuated until 11pm as a precaution. First-year student David Parton said: “When it started the flames were very strong and there was a lot of black smoke.The roof looked quite severely damaged.”