A village primary school destroyed last month by a fire is having smoke alarms fitted in temporary buildings, but a senior fire officer has said more could be done.

Vice-chairman of governors Geraldine Burke, left, and chairman Alison Barne outside Marsh Baldon Primary School's smoke alarm-fitted temporary classrooms

After February's fire at Marsh Baldon Primary School it emerged the school was not linked to an automatic detection system, which would have alerted fire crews, and there were no smoke or fire alarms in school buildings.

Governors have now insisted smoke alarms are installed in three portable buildings which pupils will use from Tuesday (March 22)

John Hurren, the county's deputy chief fire officer, said: "Smoke alarms alert people and help them escape but the school is still only doing the minimum in terms of meeting regulations.

"There are companies that can fit fire detection systems to portable buildings and if the school wants to protect its assets that would be the best course of action."

Sixty-two pupils aged four to 11 are returning to the school after being taught at the Global Retreat Centre at Nuneham Park.

Alison Barne, chairman of the governors, said: "Smoke detectors will be installed.

"This was a question governors asked very early on in the school recovery meetings with the local education authority.

"We wanted smoke alarms to be installed because children's safety is paramount and it will give parents extra peace of mind.

"The LEA has given us its backing and agreed to pay for the alarms. We will make sure they are in place before pupils begin using the classrooms."

Mrs Barne said talks with the LEA would continue regarding longer-term plans for the installation of a fire detection system.

"If that is not something the LEA is able to provide, then parents and governors will have to consider funding it," she added.

Mrs Barne said that three portable cabins were being installed on the school field and added: "It has been a massive operation, but the urgency of the circumstances has inspired incredible determination from all involved."

The cause of the blaze is thought to be linked to a £180,000 building refurbishment project which was due to finish the day after the fire.

Firefighters managed to save the new buildings from damage but the oldest part of the school, dating back to the 1880s, was completely gutted.

Steve Wain, who is in charge of fire safety policy for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said after the blaze that he thought all schools should be linked to automatic fire detection systems.

Small schools are not a priority for fire alarms and smoke alarms are not compulsory at Oxfordshire schools.