Bramcote: Police believe fire at former college was arson

The fire was reported on Sunday evening

A fire at a former college in Nottinghamshire is being investigated as an arson attack, police have said.

Police and firefighters are carrying out a joint investigation following the blaze at the old St John's College in Bramcote.

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire in the building at about 19:00 BST on Sunday.

Full searches of the site were delayed after part of the structure collapsed, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Firefighters from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire were deployed to tackle the blaze

Det Sgt Jo Eaton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Our joint investigation is at an early stage, but initial indications suggest this fire was started deliberately.

"Arson is an extremely serious offence that can lead to tragic consequences, so we will be working hard to find out who is responsible.

"Derelict sites such as the building targeted in this incident can be extremely dangerous, so it's important that people stay away from these types of locations."

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager, Richard Cooper, said: "We dedicated a large number of resources to respond to this incident in Bramcote.

"Crews from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and our joint fire control, worked solidly from 19:00 BST on Sunday (12 May) evening to extinguish this fire."

He said fire crews had remained at the scene on Monday as the investigation continued.

Firefighters said they "worked solidly" to extinguish the flames