The fire started in the building’s boiler room and is believed to have been started deliberately.

After taking hold in the basement, the fire then spread up into the gym hall.

At the scene today, station officer Scott McDonald said, “We are here to cut away damaged material and make sure their in no chance of an incomplete extinction. Once that is done we will hand the building over to the education department, who will be responsible for making the building secure.”

Police want anyone who has information on who may have started the fire to contact them on Dundee 223200. In particular, officers want to speak to four youths seen walking down Baluniefield Road shortly before the fire.

Detective Chief Inspector Ewen West said, “We are currently reviewing CCTV footage and we would particularly like to speak to four youths seen in Baluniefield Road at around 7.20 pm. They are thought to be around 15 or 16 years old and were wearing dark clothing.

“We’d also like to hear from anyone in the school grounds on Sunday evening or who saw anyone there. It is a popular place for youths to congregate and I am confident someone will know who is responsible for starting this fire.

“We need that person to get in touch before someone is seriously injured or killed. I’d appeal to parents to talk to their children about the dangers of starting fires and playing with fire. In particular, I’d ask parents to check their child’s clothing and if they notice clothes are smelling of smoke, please get in touch.”

Powrie Primary closed in August after plans were announced to merge it and Douglas Primary to form Claypotts Castle Primary.

The new school will be built on the Powrie Primary site and is expected to be completed in around two years. Pupils are currently using the Douglas Primary building in Balmoral Place.

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said the fire-ravaged building is scheduled for demolition in the late spring.