Suspicious fire causes $1 million in damage at Adelaide school

Police are investigating after part of a school in Adelaide's north was burned down overnight, leaving teachers "devastated".

John Hartley School in Smithfield Plains said eight classrooms which house more than 180 students were "completely destroyed" in the fire, with some children left with nowhere to go after the Easter holidays.

The fire caused an estimated $1 million of damage after breaking out at 9.40pm on Easter Sunday.

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"Unfortunately, the building has been severely damaged, and staff and student items could not be salvaged," the school said on Facebook.

"We feel devastated for our staff, all of our students and the whole school community."

Police are appealing for anybody who saw anything unusual to get in touch.

"The fire is being treated as suspicious and investigations are continuing," police said.

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