POLICE are investigating a fire at a derelict school building which they believe may have been an arson attack.

Firefighters were called to the former site of St Gregory's School, Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend, at around 6.45pm on May 30.

Four water jets were used and it took around three hours to put out the fire, which completely destroyed the building.

Josh Brown, 17, who lives on Jubilee Crescent, says he could see and feel the heat of the flames from his house.

He said: "I looked out the window and saw the place on fire.

"Then a whole load of fire engines came down the road."

Josh says he did not see anybody near the building before the fire began or fleeing the scene once the flames started.

One elderly resident, who does not want to be named, says he has often seen gangs of youths hanging around the derelict building.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Andy Lambert said: "We have made some house-to-house inquiries in the nearby area and we are appealing for any witnesses to events leading up to the fire to come forward."

He is urging people who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the blaze to call him at north Kent police's crime unit on 01474 366086.

You can also give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The building was owned by Kent County Council (KCC) and used by the Smile Centre, which supports children with special needs, until May last year.

KCC sold it to private developer K&S Millen, which has been granted outline planning permission to build 11 houses on the site.

K&S Millen was unavailable to comment on whether its plans will still go ahead.