Police and fire investigators suspect a fire which tore through an old college building in Downpatrick last night may have been malicious.

Several fire appliances and dozens of firefighters were called to the old East Down Institute building at Market Street at around 9pm and St Patrick’s Drive in the town was closed while fire crews tackled the blaze.

The building is close to a new multi-million pound technical college which will fully open this autumn.

It is understood workmen were on site at the old single-storey building yesterday to strip fixtures and fittings.

Local Councillor Liam Johnston, who visited the scene, said the blaze had gutted at least a quarter of the building.

“It is right at the rear of the new building but there wasn’t any danger to that. It’s a shame because there has been extensive investment in Downpatrick recently and everybody has been looking forward to the new building. People are shocked — this is a building where a lot of them would have gone to school.”

Police have urged anyone with information to contact them on 0845 600 8000.