ONE of Glasgow's best known independent schools is being forced to close four months after a blaze caused serious damage.

A petition has been presented to Glasgow Sheriff Court to wind up Glasgow Steiner School Ltd, and Paul Dounis of Begbies Traynor has been appointed joint provisional liquidators.

The architecturally significant building was the last school to be designed by Scottish Edwardian architect Sir John James Burnet and dates back to 1876.

In the wake of the fire it was estimated that a restoration project would cost several million pounds. Parents had been looking at ways to fundraise for any costs above those covered by the insurance.

The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship, of which the Glasgow establishment was affiliated said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of the Glasgow Steiner School after 25 years.

"Unfortunately they were unable to recover from the fire that gutted the school. We hope that in time there will be a new Steiner school in the area."

Firefighters had to work through the night to contain the blaze, which is believed to have started in a first-floor classroom, at the Victorian building in Yorkhill.

The fire broke out during morning break on March 26. A tower on the roof collapsed into the building and burning debris landed on cars parked nearby.

A total of 65 children – aged between three and 12 – and 20 staff made their way out of the Lumsden Street school as the fire alarm sounded.