Arsonists are believed to have started a spectacular fire which destroyed the Phillip Ginter School in Summit Hill early this morning.

Most of the interior of the two-story brick structured was burned out by the blaze, which had erupted through the roof before firefighters arrived after apparently starting in the office of Principal Stephen Martinec.

The school served as the junior high school for grades 7 through 9 and housed 495 junior high students and 25 kindergarten pupils.

Police Chief Jack Crampsie said he is convinced it was a case of arson, and suggested maybe the fire was started by the same youths who vandalized the building last Wednesday night and were seen running from the building.