Fire chiefs are looking into possible foul play following a late night fire at a former college campus in Downpatrick.

The former East Down Institute site, which is set to be demolished within weeks, houses several buildings.

Yesterday evening a fire broke out within empty workshops, which the Fire Service believes could have been deliberate arson.

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Around 30 firefighters were called to the scene, and managed to contain the flames.

District Commander Brian Irvine said his crews responded quickly and managed to stop the first spreading to other structures.

"It was a very intense, very developed fire there was a quick response from the local crews in Downpatrick and they were backed up by further appliances from Ballynahinch and Newcastle," he said,

"But hats off to them they responded very, very quickly and were very quickly able to bring it under control and stop it spreading to other buildings."

The further and higher education institute moved to a new multi million pound facility earlier this year.

(PR/JM)