EXCITED students collecting their exam results from a fire ravaged Stanmore school refused to let the devastation spoil the event.

The second floor of Bentley Wood High School for Girls, in Bridges Road, Stanmore, was partially destroyed by a fire yesterday evening (Wednesday), which raged for more than six hours.

This year's anxious GCSE students had to collect their results from temporary buildings next to the damaged structure.

Monique Ferguson-Rowe, 16, the school's head girl, achieved four As, four A*s and two Bs.

She said: "I'm really happy with my results. Hard work really does pay off.

"It's a shame the fire has happened but it can't spoil my day, I'm just so happy."

Janice Howkins, the school's headteacher, said: "We are here to celebrate with the children, they have worked very hard.

"We are very proud of them; 67 per cent have gained A to C grades in the core subjects."

Vrinda Sodha, 16, got five As, but said she was a little sad the room and her friends had so much fun in had been destroyed.

She said: "One of the rooms was our classroom, we had lots of laughs in there, so it's a bit sad that it's ruined, but we've had to leave it behind now anyway."

William Goddard of Harrow Police, said: "It is not clear as yet whether the fire is suspicious and we are continuing to liase with the fire department."

Around 50 firefighters fought to control the flames, and fire teams remained on site throughout the night.

Nobody was injured in the blaze.