School fire may have been started deliberately

Assessments of the premises have started

Assessment work is under way following a fire at a disused former school that police believe may have been started deliberately.

The blaze, attended by more than 30 firefighters on Monday, affected the first floor and roof space at the site on Clifton Road in Balsall Heath, Birmingham.

Crews were monitoring the scene on Tuesday and damping down hot spots after making "excellent progress in extinguishing the fire", the fire service said.

Nobody is believed to have been injured, West Midlands Police added.

Firefighters were called to the scene on Monday shortly before 14:00 BST.

Searches and assessments of the premises have started using the fire service's hydraulic aerial platform and a drone team.

Birmingham City Council had attended the scene, the fire service said.

In the early hours of Tuesday, resources were reduced to one fire engine.

Investigations continue

West Midlands Police confirmed it was called to the blaze and released an appeal for information.

"Officers remain at the scene with fire crews who continue to assess the damage and make the site secure," a statement read.

"Enquiries are continuing to establish the cause of the fire but we suspect it may have been started deliberately and we are asking for anyone with information to get in touch."