A BURNING football boot in a plastic bag was left in a classroom doorway in a suspected arson incident at a school near Taunton on Monday.

Staff at Heathfield Community School, Monkton Heathfield, put out the blaze before the fire brigade arrived, just before 4pm.

The incident happened after school hours with only staff and a handful of students officially on site.

Head teacher Elliott Furneaux is joining with police to investigate the cause of the fire.

Yesterday, he told the County Gazette: “It's a mystery. The bag was left in the doorway of a classroom in the science block, presumably deliberately.

“Police have been informed and a forensic expert has visited the school.

“The worst case scenario is arson - the best case is someone did something stupid that smouldered and it caught fire.”

Mr Elliott also said that the science block location of the incident had been particularly dangerous due to nearby gas cylinders and flammable materials used to teach the subject.

A Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Crews damped down the room. The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate.”

An electrical fault has been ruled out as the cause of the fire and CCTV at the school is being reviewed.

Insp Sam Williams, of Taunton police, said: “The potential for danger was significant. We are treating this very seriously and would like to hear from anyone who may have details on this offence.”

Anyone with information on the incident can contact school staff or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555111.