A fire has broken out in a disused building of a Scots primary school in the early hours of this morning.
Local eyewitnesses say the "devastating" blaze has left the community feeling "sad".
Neighbours looked on in horror as emergency crews remained on scene, tackling the blaze at Hermitage Primary in Helensburgh.
Local reports indicate that the fire broke out in a derelict part of the school on Grant Street, which is north of the main building.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said eight appliances were currently at the incident at Argyle Street East following multiple calls before 5am on Tuesday.
Police are appealing for anyone with information about the cause of the fire, saying that "early indications are the fire was started deliberately".
Gordon Brodie, whose wife works at the school, told the Record: "It’s terrible and the fire is still going I believe.
"It's a sad, sad day. My old man went to that school. If he was here he would be devastated. It will hit the town hard."
Gordon said it was reported last week that kids were in the derelict building smashing up windows.
It is understood that no injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.
Hermitage Primary School staff and pupils are currently on holiday for the Easter break.
A statement from Police Scotland said: "Officers are appealing for information following a fire in Helensburgh on Tuesday, 12 April, 2022.
"Around 5.15am, police received a report of a fire in an old school building in East Argyle Street. Emergency services attended and early indications are the fire was started deliberately.
"No-one was injured and the building has been extensively damaged in the fire. An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire.
Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to contact them. Did you see anyone acting strangely or did you see anyone hanging around outside the building? Any small piece of information could assist police in their enquiries."
A SFRS spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 4.45am this morning of reports of a building on fire at Hermitage Primary School.
"We are still in on scene at the moment and eight appliances are in attendance."
