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Police fears that vandalism at derelict schools in Haverhill would result in a serious incident was justified last night when a major fire broke out in a building at the Castle Hill Middle School site in School Lane.

Crews from Haverhill, Ixworth, Bury St Edmunds and Long Melford attended, aided by crews from Cambridgeshire and Essex. Two turntable ladders were also in attendance because of the size of the building.

A main one-storey building of about 20,000 square metres was completely destroyed and the blaze was broght under control by 1am.

The fire service received a series calls from members of the public who noticed the fire just before 10pm.

No one is thought to have been in the building and there were no reports of any casualties.

Police cordoned off the area and advised residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed because of the smoke being caused by the blaze.

Haverhill police have been warning of the dangers of the derelict school buildings, closed last year when the education system in the town changed from three-tier to two-tier.

Vandals had been getting into the buildings and causing damage, as well as stealing metal such as copper piping and radiators.

A small fire was started in the gym at the school in April and at that time police warned again of the dangers, not only to the perpetrators, but to the police or fire service personnel who, on arrival at an incident would have to assume there might be people inside and risk their lives to make sure there were not.

Suffolk County Council at that time estimated the schools would be demolished within six weeks, but a start was only possible two weeks ago when the education minister signed the relevant papers.

It is not yet known how last night's fire started and an investigation is under way.