The fire, which was reported by Southgate residents at about 2am on Tuesday morning, caused extensive damage to the roof of two storey building and caused ten per cent smoke and heat damage to the first floor.

Firefighters using tall ladders contained the flames to the roof and external cladding and fire investigation teams are now scouring the site for clues.

The Old Horsham Road school is in the process of moving from its current site into modern buildings on the same site and have so far raised hundreds of thousands to foot the bill.

Headteacher Jonathan Morris said he hoped the blaze wouldn't scupper their chances of shunting into the new building.

He added: "It is a very unfortunate incident. I have been out to the site today and the damage is not severe and will not hold up the building work.

"There was some damage to the front of the chapel and conference area.

"The damage is concentrated to one area and the contractors are currently working on another wing of the building so it is full steam ahead with that.

"We hope to be occupying the new buildings by February half term."

Fire crews from Crawley, Horley, Horsham and Haywards Heath attended the scene.

They used two breathing apparatus, two water jets, two sets of ladders and one hydrant to control the fire.

A West Sussex Fire and Rescue spokesman said that arson had not been ruled out as a possible cause.

He added: "We were called to a fire at St Wilfrid's School at 2.20am on Tuesday morning.

A fire had started in a building under construction and not one of the buildings currently in use by the school.

"The fire was confined to the roof and external cladding but the two storey building suffered 15 per cent damage to the roof and 10 per cent of the first floor was damaged by heat and smoke."

The spokeswoman added: "Fire investigation teams are investigating the scene and the cause of the fire is not yet clear."

A spokeswoman from Sussex Police said "We are currently awaiting an assessment of the cause of the blaze."

The night's drama failed to disrupt the school's last day of term assembly as the Southgate school opened for business as usual yesterday (Tuesday).


DID YOU SEE THE FIRE? DID YOU TAKE PICTURES? Email matthew.gaw@sussexnewspapers.co.uk