A FORMER middle school which has lain empty for seven months has been damaged by fire, today.

Firefighters were called to the old Sladen Middle School building in Kidderminster at 1am after reports of a kitchen fire.

When crews arrived at the Hurcott Road grounds they discovered a brick and wood outbuilding, next to the main school building's kitchen, ablaze.

Firefighters equipped with a thermal imaging camera, breathing apparatus and hose reels fought the flames in the storage building, which was empty at the time.

After the fire was out, firefighters aided by security staff checked the school and kitchen area for damage.

Phil Berry, watch manager, said "some smoke and heat" had got into the nearby kitchen through a gap above the kitchen's door.

He added: "Once we had the fire out we got access to the school.

"With the smoke which had got in, we had to ventilate and open as many windows as we could."

The school, owned by Worcestershire County Council, has been shut since the Wyre Forest School Review saw the closure of all the district's middle schools in a move from a three-tier to two-tier education system.

Dylan Evans, police spokesman, said: "We are investigating the incident but there is no reason to believe the fire was started deliberately.

"If anyone has information to the contrary we urge them to come forward.

"Officers do carry out regular patrols around the school site and we urge anybody who sees anyone on the school premises when they should not be to call the police on 08457 444888."