The Vale of Leven Academy has been closed following a deliberate fire this morning. 

As the Reporter previously told, hundreds of pupils were evacuated from the Main Street school after a fire was started in the toilets.

Parents have been alerted of the closure by SMS messages and pupils without someone at home can wait in the games hall until they can be collected or travel home safely. 

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received the alarm call to Alexandria at 10.41am.

The fire had been extinguished by mid-morning, with emergency services currently still in attendance in early afternoon.

Police say the incident is being treated as an act of wilful fire raising.

West Dunbartonshire Council initially told the Reporter: “The sprinkler system was activated at Vale of Leven Academy this morning and all pupils and staff safely evacuated.

"The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are on site and have fully checked the premises, and pupils are now returning to the building.”

However, at 1pm the council posted on their social media page: "As a result of an earlier incident today, the Vale of Leven Academy has now been closed.

"An engineer is making his way to site and it is anticipated that the school will be open tomorrow.

"The school has sent SMS messages to all parents informing that those pupils who have someone at home can be released from school and for those who do not have someone at home at this time, they can remain in the Games Hall until they can be collected or travel home safely.

"Our transport section is currently contacting McColls and other taxi companies to inform of this incident."