Brune Park Community School on Military Road was severely damaged by the fire, which broke out shortly before 5:53 p.m.
More than 40 firefighters across the county mobilized to deal with the blaze, which took place in a recently closed building in Brune Park.
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Firefighters photographed at Brune Park Community School fighting a fire in one of the buildings on the site. Photo: Simmone Prager
Teams from Gosport, Fareham, Havant, Portchester, Southsea, Wickham, Hightown and Eastleigh fought for nearly three hours to control the fire.
In all, emergency personnel used 17 respirators and two main jets to finally put out the flames, which are believed to have been lit on a flat roof on the first floor.
A spokeswoman for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said about 10% of the building had been destroyed.
Officers managed to put out the fire at around 9:25 p.m.
She-Mai Mcintosh-Sayles, 12, captured this photo of the Brune Park fire.
Dozens of people outside the school limits watched the flames go out.
Among them was Rowner’s 7th grader Ella-Mai Mcintosh-Sayles.
Speaking to The News with her mother’s permission, the 12-year-old said: “I couldn’t believe it, it was really crazy to see my own school on fire. The whole building was surrounded by firefighters.
“There were seven fire engines and four police cars. We saw that the building was on fire and we were able to catch fire through the ceiling, walls and windows.
“I saw firefighters coming in and out of a broken window making sure no one was in the building.”
Hampshire Constabulary has been informed. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Firefighters conducted a new inspection of the building at 7 a.m., with a fire and rescue spokeswoman saying no further action would be taken.
The school will reopen on Monday and a spokesman for Gosport and Fareham Multi Academy Trust said it was due to the quick response from firefighters.
He said: “We would like to thank the emergency services that responded to the fire at Brune Park Community School.
“It was his swift action that ensured that the fire was brought under control quickly, avoiding a more serious situation and further damage to the building.”