A Rainham school had to be evacuated for a short time today, after a fire was started deliberately in an office.

Pupils at the Howard School in Derwent Way were spared their lessons after the fire broke out at about 2.30pm. Firefighters from Medway Fire Station were called to the scene but as they arrived, staff had already dealt with the fire.

A Kent Fire and Rescue spokesman, said: "A pile of clothing had been set alight in an office. By the time we arrived it had been put out and the children had been allowed back in."