Police are investigating an arson attack at a children’s nursery in Dartford, which threatened to burn the building to the ground.

Firefighters were called to the Acorns Early Years Nursery in Franklin Road at 3.20am on Tuesday after reports playground equipment had been set on fire.

Crews used hose reels to tackle flames for nearly an hour, stopping them from engulfing the main building although the playground and a shed were destroyed.

Police are investigating the fire as an arson attack.

Manager Carol Fairman described the playground as a “bomb site in a war zone” when she arrived at the nursery in the early hours to inspect the damage.

She said: “When I heard, I wanted to get here as quickly as possible to see what had happened.

“I want to say thanks to whoever called the fire brigade because we wouldn’t have a nursery otherwise.

“I’m still in shock. When I got here it was horrendous.

“It was like a bomb site in a war zone with mangled bits of metal up in the air.

“Everywhere is still smoking.

“When the parents arrived to drop off their children they obviously wanted to know what happened but we reassured them.

“They were happy the nursery remained open and have also offered to help us in our hour of need. It’s lovely to know people care.”

Among the equipment damaged were a number of early learning bicycles, which cost about £200 each, and a £500 gazebo which was bought last summer from proceeds of a fundraising event attended by parents.

“I don’t know who would want to do this?” - Claire Donnelly

Deputy manager Claire Donnelly added: “The kids are disappointed but they are too young to understand, they are just as happy playing indoors.

“I don’t know who would want to do this?”

A police spokesman said: “Kent Police is investigating a report of an arson at a children’s centre in Dartford. It is reported that a shed, containing toys, was set alight in Franklin Road, between 2.40am and 3.40am on January 27.”

The nursery is a registered charity that cares for more than 200 children with up to 80 a day from ages from four months to 11.