Large fire breaks out at derelict Kempston middle school

Emergency services were called to the former Robert Bruce Middle School on Thursday morning

A large, substantial fire has broken out at a derelict middle school that has been closed for seven years.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said nine crews were called to Robert Bruce Middle School, off Hillgrounds Road, Kempston, at 06:24 BST.

It said fire engulfed about 25% of the three-storey building.

There were "multiple seats of fire and smoke logging throughout the building," the service said.

The well-developed fire took some time to tackle, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said

The incident has now been scaled down and "all persons are accounted for", it added.

People were asked to avoid the area to allow vehicles to easily access the scene.

The former school was closed in 2015 and was due to be redeveloped

Earlier this year, Bedford Borough Council announced plans to build a new 200-place school for children aged two to 19, with special educational needs on the site.

The school was closed when the authority changed from a three-tier educational system (infant or junior, middle and upper) to a two-tier system (primary and secondary) in 2015.