A FIRE that broke out in a school is believed to have been started deliberately.

Police have launched an investigation after firefighters were called to Larkmead School in Faringdon Road, Abingdon, at about 7.30pm on Monday.

A small fire broke out in the sports hall and damaged the building before being extinguished at about 10pm.

Larkmead headteacher Chris Harris said the sports hall had been broken into by a number of people and that the cricket nets had been set alight.

Three crews, one from Abingdon and two from Oxford, managed to prevent the flames spreading to the rest of the school.

The buildings were not occupied and there were no reported injuries.

Thames Valley Police assisted the fire service and have appealed for anyonw who witnessed the suspected arson to come forward.

Mr Harris added the fire was controlled by the firefighters and that it was understood it was started with matches or by a similar means.

He said: “It’s all about timing with a fire and it was detected early.”

Anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area should call the force on 101 and quote reference 43170248865.