A girl arrested for arson after a fire at a school has been sectioned.

The girl, 16, has been detained under the mental health act for “assessment” as the investigation into Wednesday’s incident at Blatchington Mill School, Hove, continues.

Fire crews were called to the school in Nevill Avenue at 5.42pm on January 17, to reports of smoke coming from the building.

They left the site at around 6.30am the following day and it has been closed since.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “A 16-year-old girl arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life has been detained under the mental health act for assessment while the investigation continues.

READ MORE: Blatchington Mill School in Hove to remain closed after fire

“A joint investigation between police and the fire service is ongoing and we are not able to give a timeframe on the length of this work at this time.”

Police say they will not confirm if the girl is a student at the school.

We are expecting an update from Blatchington Mill later today.