Children whose school was almost destroyed by fire face an anxious wait to find out if they can return to classes as they prepare to take their GCSEs.

Investigations are underway by Sussex Police and the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service after the suspected arson attack on Tideway secondary school in Newhaven.

Two youths are being questioned in connection with the blaze, which destroyed the main building of the secondary school in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The fire tore through the school at about 12.30am, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage at the 900-pupil school on Southdown Road.

More than 70 firefighters from across the county battled the blaze. The main hall, which recently had a £40,000 refurbishment, was wrecked along with the library, drama room, staff room and other classrooms.

East Sussex County Council have since confirmed that no sprinkler system had been fitted in the school, which suffered an arson attack in September 1986.

It also confirmed that none of the schools in East Sussex has a sprinkler system.

The headmaster's office was badly damaged in the previous incident after a petrol-soaked rag wrapped round a stone was thrown through the window. The fire burnt out before spreading.

Station officer Dave Yates of Battle fire station, who took charge of the brigade's operation yesterday, said: "I haven't seen any evidence of a sprinkler system and if there was one I would have thought I would have seen it by now.

"Schools are not required by law to have them. Some schools do and some don't. But all educational establishments are target for arson and it's up to the council how they control it."

Mr Yates added: "If it wasn't for the timely intervention of the crews who were first at the scene there was a serious risk that the whole school would have been lost."

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said it would discuss the issue of sprinklers with the fire service shortly and said its main priority was to get the school up and running again in time for the new term, due to start on Monday.

A school governor warned parents yesterday that there may not be school next week.

He said: "We have got concerns for the school and concern for the children. It's a very sad situation. We need to get more information to find out what will happen now. At the moment it's just conjecture."

Dozens of children gathered outside the school gates yesterday to find out what was happening.

Charlene Fryer, 15, a Tideway School student of Gibbon Road, Newhaven, said: "My mum woke me up at about 1.45am and I was looking out of the window. I could see all the smoke and it seemed to be getting worse so I thought I would come up here.

"The whole school was burning and the smoke was really orange. I don't really like school but at the end of the day I've got my GCSEs coming up.

"It's my last few weeks here and I'm hoping it's going to be okay to take my exams."

Samantha Martin, 32, a housewife of Haven Way, Newhaven, lives next door to the school and was woken up by the blaze.

She said: "There were flames higher than the school. It was just roaring. Before you knew it there were about eight or nine fire engines coming from everywhere.

"I watched the whole thing, I was really shocked.

A spokesman for East Sussex County Council said: "The majority of classrooms have not been affected but the next stage for the school and local authorities is to clean up the school and make it safe and secure.

"But this can't happen properly until police and fire officers have completed their on-site investigations towards the end of the week.

"The main priority for the LEA and county council is to reopen the school as soon as possible. If it is not possible to open the school for all pupils on Monday when term starts then priority will be give to Years Nine and 11 who have exams."

Environmental Health Officers are investigating the possibility that asbestos or other material has been blown from the fire to surrounding areas.

Two local youths, aged 16 and 17-years-old, were arrested on Monday night on suspicion of arson and remain in custody while police continue with their inquiries and forensic investigations.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Newhaven CID on 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 28 of April 5th, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Lewes District Council is advising residents who may have seen debris from the fire to call 01273 484 961 or 01273 484 963 for advice.