THE year ended on a sour note for staff and students at Oaklands College after arsonists struck.

Firefighters were called to a three-storey building in the college's City Campus on Hatfield Road, St Albans, at around 8pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2002,last week, after neighbours spotted smoke and flames billowing from the first floor.

Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus searched the building using a thermal imaging camera after reports that someone may have been trapped inside.

But the building, which is used by students studying for their painting and decorating courses, was found to be empty.

It took ten firefighters around two hours to bring the blaze under control using hose reels and jets before pumping smoke from the building.

They confirmed that the first floor was severely damaged by fire and smoke, while much of the second floor was smoke-logged.

A spokesman for Oaklands College said staff were shocked by the fire, despite the building being one of those earmarked for demolition in a £15 million deal with Fairview Homes.

He said: "It's a blow because it disrupts students academically while we look for alternative accommodation.

"It's not something we can rectify immediately."

Police have begun an investigation into the blaze, which they believe was started by someone deliberately igniting paperwork that had been strewn across the floor.

A spokesman said: "We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or saw anybody hanging around the area at around 7.45pm to get in touch."

Anyone with information should contact the crime desk on 01727 796002.

Firefighters were called to an emergency in a car parking compound behind Oaklands College's campus in Lemsford Lane, Welwyn Garden City, at 2.25pm on Sunday, January 5.

Four cars had been deliberately torched in the car park compound and it took firefighters just under an hour to bring the blaze under control.