A book store within Hamrun secondary school (the Lyceum) was torched by unknown persons last night, the Education Ministry said.
It said that somebody had entered the store in Brigella Street by smashing a window. A quantity of books were then set on fire.
The blaze was extinguished by fire-fighters who were alerted by a school employee.
The Education Ministry condemned the vandal act. It said it hoped such incidents would not be repeated.
Sources said hundreds of books were destroyed but they were mostly old and are not used any more.
The school forms part of St Gorg Preca College.