A fire that started in an old school building is believed to have been started deliberately.

About 40 firefighters tackled the large blaze at the former St John Fisher Catholic School block in Chatham on Tuesday evening.

Fire engines were sent to Ordnance Street at about 6pm and found two of the building’s top floors had smoke billowing from them.

At the time, people living and working nearby were asked to avoid the area so the emergency services could access the scene.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus used a combination of main jets and high-pressure hose reel jets, plus a height vehicle due to the size of the building involved.

The fire was put out by 8.30pm that evening and no injuries were reported.

Yesterday (Wednesday), the fire service put out a further update. Its statement simply said: “It's believed the fire was started deliberately.”

Police have confirmed inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.