Gray said the damage was "considerably less" than feared and that although some students had lost some or all of their work, many others had been luckier. She said staff and curators would be able to enter the building to assess what could be salvaged in the next few days.

"The joy that our archives are safe combines with the delight in seeing most of our beloved building bruised and battered but most certainly not destroyed. As for the library, Mackintosh was not famous for working in precious materials. It was his vision that was precious and we are confident that we can re-create what was lost as faithfully as possible.

"Our main concern right now is the welfare of the students and the impending graduation, and everyone is working hard together to achieve the best outcome for all."

She thanked the public for the "warmth of support" and said she had "run out of words" with which to thank firefighters. "But the school has most certainly gained a new gallery of heroes," she added.

Earlier, the government announced it would help pay for repairs. The chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, promised that central government would give millions of pounds if necessary to restore the world-renowned building. The Scottish administration has already said it will do all it can to assist in the rebuilding of what is regarded as one of the finest architectural works in the UK.