Developers have praised the efforts of firefighters after they saved an historic building in Telford from destruction.

Smoke poured from every window of the Walker Institute in Oakengates last night following an arson attack.

The 1920s former college building, which was previously occupied by the Telford College of Arts and Technology, was bought by Hama Investments Ltd. The company is transforming it into 14 apartments.

Project manager of the development, Angie Kousoulou, from Wellington-based Regency Project Consultants, said: “The firefighters saved us, they did a great job. We have been broken into every day for the last five days.

“Yesterday morning we came in and found sledgehammers in the building where they had been trying to smash the radiators and rob those as well. It’s a continual battle against the thieves, basically.

“We will have full-time 24-hour security on site in two weeks’ time.

“We are the only developers who have shown interest in retaining the building, everyone else wanted to destroy it.

“If they burnt the whole building down that would be a problem purely because you can’t find the craftsmen to build that type of structure. Just to rebuild the shell would cost £1.5 million.

“It won’t deter us. We have received great support from the local residents. When we finish it will be the most spectacular residential development in Telford, without question or doubt.”

Firefighters fought the blaze for just under two hours after rushing to the scene at 5.45pm.

Mark Weaver, station manager at Telford Fire Station and the incident commander, said: “We had six pumps in attendance.

“The aerial ladder platform was mobilised in case the fire spread into the roof.

“When we turned up smoke was issuing from all windows in the main part of the building, crews worked really well and really hard and limited the fire damage. To save the building took some fantastic fire fighting.”

Anyone with information about the blaze should contact Telford police on 0300 3333 000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.