Four fire engines were sent to a large blaze which took hold at a derelict school building this morning.

Firefighters were called to the Ray Allen Centre in Ashford just before 5am.

Stanhope Road was temporarily shut to make way for hoses used to extinguish the flames.

A spokesperson for the fire service said two fire engines were initially sent to the scene but the size of the incident meant additional resources were quickly dispatched.

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus fought the fire with main jets and a height platform,” they added.

“There are no reports of any injuries and the cause of the fire has not yet been established.”

Police, an electrical safety engineer (UK Power Networks), and a gas safety engineer were also called to the area just after 5am to assist.

A spokesperson for police said: “Officers attended to close the road and carry out inquiries into the cause of the fire.”

The blaze was put out just after 8am.

In 2020, KentOnline reported on plans for almost 270 homes to be built at the site after being approved by the council.

Plans outlined the site of the existing Ray Allen Centre, which has now been shut for several years, and the former Linden Grove Primary School would house 269 dwellings ranging from two- to four-storeys.