A fire broke out last night at a Grade II-listed building on the site of the former Rock Ferry High School in Wirral.
Crews rushed to the scene following reports of flames ripping through Ravenswood House, which remains standing since the school was demolished in 2016.
An aerial appliance was also used, cascading water down onto the burning structure.
Firefighters remained at the culturally-protected Ravenswood Avenue premises, added to the Heritage England list in 2012, until well after midnight.
Nobody was inside the building, but the extent of the damage is expected to be extensive.
A Merseyside Fire and Rescue spokeswoman described the site as "under construction."
Police were also called to the blaze.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
In mid-February, plans for nearly 200 flats and extra care apartments on the former Rock Ferry High site, were approved despite more than 400 people opposing them.
Under the controversial proposals, 102 extra care apartments and 76 houses and bungalows will be built, just off Highfield South and Ravenswood Avenue.
Listed Ravenswood House, which was in flames last night, was set to be refurbished to house eight new apartments.
It couldn't be demolished because of its listed status.
Nearby residents and past pupils expressed their sadness following the fire.
One woman said: "I was there back in [19]83 when it went up in smoke when lads set fire to Mr Jenkins room.
"Watched it burn it was so sad, and yet they did amazing work on rebuilding with wonderful carvings.
"So sad if this is the end of the old girl."
The new homes plan has been put forward by Torus, supported by funding from Homes England.
