A BLAZE which ripped through a disused school, causing it to collapse in on itself, is believed to have been started deliberately.

Around 30 firefighters were needed to tackle the fire, which broke out at the old Windmill Hill Primary School site on Wednesday night.

The single-storey building, in Uxbridge Road, Freshbrook, had stood derelict since 2007 when the school was merged with Freshbrook Primary to become Millbrook Primary School, now in Worsley Road.

Five crews, from Westlea, Stratton and Swindon, were mobilised after the fire was reported at 7pm and it took nearly three hours to put it out.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “The building was a derelict school and it is suspected arson. The police have been called and they are looking into it.

“The building was totally destroyed by the fire. We understand the building was down to be demolished.”

Paul Jarmey, watch manager at Westlea Fire Station, described how the building collapsed.

He said: “As we pulled around the corner we could see the thick black smoke and a good half of the building was engulfed in the fire.

“We recognised it was a derelict building and that no-one was inside so we adopted defensive tactics, meaning we did not commit to sending anybody in.

“It was a large blaze – the building involved was about 60 sq ft, single-storey and timber-framed. The timber gave way under the weight of the roof and the building collapsed inwards on itself.

“We recognised that we were going to lose half of the building so we focused on making a block and stopping the fire from spreading.

“There were no dangerous substances, like asbestos, and we advised residents to lock their doors and windows. No-one was evacuated as the school grounds made for a cordoned area.”

Swindon Council confirmed the building was set to be torn down.

A spokesman said: “We were going through a procurement process for demolishing the building and since the fire we have made it safe and secure.

“We will be taking urgent action to speed up the process and increasing security at the site.”

Local resident and former Windmill Hill school governor, Ruth Bray, said it was a shame it had been burned down.

The 70-year-old said: “It was immaculately kept and everybody used to take pride in it – when they were talking of closing it it was a big issue.

“It’s a great shame these people don’t have any respect. After it stood empty I suppose it was a temptation but it’s just vandalism.”

Anyone with any information should contact Swindon police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.