A huge blaze at a derelict school – which took more than 16 hours to get under control – is believed to have been started deliberately.

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen for miles as firefighters tackled the flames at the former Foxwood School in Hythe.

Multiple fire and police vehicles descended on the Seabrook Road site, which closed in 2016, on Friday afternoon.

Now, investigators say the blaze was believed to have been a suspected arson attack.

“At the height of the incident, seven fire engines and a height vehicle attended,” a fire service spokesman said.

“Crews, wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reel jets and main jets to extinguish the flames.

“There are no reported injuries and the cause is believed to be deliberate.”

A police spokesman added: “Initial inquiries suggest the fire may be suspicious and an investigation to establish the full circumstances is underway.”

Firefighters were called at 2.30pm on Friday and finished their operations shortly before 7am the next day.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the site from miles away across the town.

Plans to transform the derelict site into 150 homes were approved in 2022.

Ambitious artist impressions revealed how Foxwood could be reimagined with the planned homes set among open green spaces and trees, and offering sea views.

But planning permission for the homes lapsed earlier this year.

Seabrook Road is lined with pricey properties.

According to Rightmove, the majority of homes sold there during the last year were detached and went for an average of £772,500.