Updated 5:02pm: Three young people have been arrested in relation to a Kapiti Coast school fire.

The junior classrooms at Paraparaumu school were totally destroyed by the fire that ripped through last night.

Detective Inspector George Faalogo says the youths will appear in the Porirua Youth Court on a date yet to be confirmed.

A scene examination has been done, and police will make further inquiries as part of their wider investigation.

Mr Faalogo says the school will be closed all week, but there are plans to have the school open again next Monday.

Principal determined to reopen

The principal of Paraparaumu School says he's moving heaven and earth to re-open as soon as possible after a fire ripped through four classrooms and a library last night.

 

Steven Caldwell says the 160 students who usually use the junior school classrooms may have to be relocated.

He says they're working through a plan for what they do now.

Mr Caldwell says half their teaching space is gone, so it will be difficult.

Investigators have been at the scene of the fire this morning trying to find out how it started.

Paraparaumu school closed after fire

Paraparaumu School is closed until further notice.

A fire destroyed all the school's junior classrooms last night.

It's being treated as suspicious, with fire safety investigators to return to the scene today.

The school's Facebook page says all children will have to stay home until further notice.

Dozens of messages of support for the school are also posted on the page.

The school is due to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year - and says all old photos have also been destroyed.

Meanwhile, one person has been taken to Middlemore Hospital after a house fire in Auckland.

Police and Fire are at the scene in Otara.

Counties Manukau CIB are investigating.