A number of cars belonging to teachers were burned out in an apparent sectarian arson attack on a Catholic school in north Belfast today.
At least five vehicles were set on fire at Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School in the staunchly Loyalist Ballysillan district.
Two men carrying petrol cans were seen entering the car park just after midday before they doused vehicles.
Principal, Mr Peter Daley said: "At least five are complete write-offs.
"It looks like we were targeted because this is a Catholic school in a Loyalist area."
Parents of girls at the school began arriving to take their children home as news of the attack spread.
Police and fire crews were also summoned in a bid to extinguish the flames and begin a hunt for the arsonists.
Mr Daley stressed the attack happened while all 550 pupils at the school were in classes.
"There was no risk to the safety of children at all," he said.
"These men were targeting teachers' cars and we were just on the receiving end of sectarian thugs."
The school was attacked 18 months ago when up to 20 staff vehicles weresmashed up by vandals wielding sledgehammers, but the latest violence shockedteachers.
The Principal said CCTV footage, which showed two unmasked men launching the attack, had been handed over to detectives.