FIREFIGHTERS were called out earlier today after fire broke out at a derelict former Dudley school.

Crews from Dudley Fire Station attended the incident at the old Sir Gilbert Claughton School in Blowers Green Road at around 3pm after reports of smoke billowing from the site which is set for redevelopment.

Dudley News: Firefighters at the scene. Pic - Dudley Fire StationFirefighters at the scene. Pic - Dudley Fire Station

Firefighters found a large pile of timber and carpets on fire which they put out.

Dudley News: The old Sir Gilbert Claughton School in Dudley which has been ravaged by fire. Pic - Dudley Fire StationThe old Sir Gilbert Claughton School in Dudley which has been ravaged by fire. Pic - Dudley Fire Station

They later took to social media to issue a warning, saying: "Please don't play with fire or have bonfires near any buildings."

The former school building which dates back more than a century was previously ravaged in an arson attack in July last year, which left it without most of its roof.

But last month Dudley Council planners approved plans by Abbey Architecture to convert the site into 30 flats, comprising 19 two-bedroom apartments, seven one-bedroom homes and four studio flats.