FIREFIGHTERS risked their safety when arsonists set a former old people's home alight.

Crews from Maidstone and Headcorn were called to the fire at The Hall, Biddenden Road, Headcorn, at around 11.45pm on Wednesday.

Rubbish under the stairs of the three-storey property had been deliberately ignited, causing the whole building to become filled with smoke.

Two crews wearing breathing apparatus were sent in to the ground and first floors to search the derelict building for people and to deal with the fire.

Leading firefighter David Giuralarocca, of Blue Watch, Maidstone, said: "It could have been a lot worse had the place been furnished, but it's under refurbishment at the moment and there wasn't an awful lot inside to burn.

"Derelict buildings can be dangerous. There is no guarantee about things like floors. The stairs had been completely burnt away. It made it a dangerous building.

"It's an ongoing problem in the Headcorn area - we've been going out to Headcorn quite regularly in the last few weeks for deliberate fires. We went in to search the building just in case there was somebody there. We are putting ourselves in danger."

A spokeswoman for Maidstone and Malling Police said: "The fire is believed to be suspicious and we are investigating."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 01622 608189.