A school was damaged today in a petrol bomb attack in north Belfast.
Police were called to the scene on the Antrim Road when smoke was spotted at around 6am.
The police and fire service said the fire had burned itself out by the time they arrived.
But they discovered the remains of a petrol bomb in one ground-floor classroom and found evidence that an accelerant was poured through a window in another.
The two rooms were badly smoke-damaged, as were adjoining corridors.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
SDLP North Belfast representative Alban Maginness condemned the attack on St Patrick's College Bearnageeha.
Mr Maginness, who sits on the school board of governors, visited the scene of the attack this morning to view the damage.
"This is a despicable attack on the pupils, staff and community of St
Patrick's," he said.
"Every child, every person, has the democratic right to an education, the best possible education, a service which St Patrick's duly provided the people of this area.
"Whoever carried out this attack, and the police have said there was accelerant and the remains of a petrol bomb evident at the scene, simply do not realise the destruction their actions cause.
"They think this is acceptable behaviour in today's society. It is not acceptable."
PA