AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a series of suspicious fires at Pensnett High School, which police are treating as arson.

In the last month, police and fire fighters have been called to the Tiled House Lane school three times.

The most recent incident, on May 10, was not series, but the two previous blazes are thought to have caused thousands of pounds of damage.

Emergency Services were called to the school on April 15 after a pile of rubbish was set alight outside. The fire spread and caused significant damage to the front of the building.

A second fire was then reported on April 18, which again spread inside the building, this time destroying an entrance to the building and damaging two classrooms.

Sergeant Dave Rennison, from Brierley Hill police station, said: “We are treating all three of these incidents as arson, which is a concerning pattern for both the school and police.

“Each time, a fire has been started outside the building, but close to windows and doors, and it has then spread causing significant damage.

“It is difficult to say at this time whether this could be a bit of mischief gone wrong or something more sinister but the end result is still the same.

The school is now operating round the clock security, with 24 hour security on site.

A school spokesman, said: "There was no disruption to the children's education, which is the most important thing and none of the community facilities were disrupted either."

She added: "We have managed really well and carried on as we always do at Pensnett High."

Anyone with information is urged to contact CID at Brierley Hill police station on 0345 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.