‘Shock’ over school blaze

A COMMUNITY in North Somerset is in shock after a fire gutted a school building over the bank holiday.

Firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue were sent to Yatton Primary School during lunchtimeon Monday where they found a “significant” fire.

Pictures showed that the roof of the school building had caved in. No one was inside at the time and no one is believed to have been injured.

Nine fire engines, about 45 firefighters, were sent to put out the fire with crews from across Somerset attending, including some from Bristol. The High Street was closed by officers from Avon and Somerset Police while firefighters battled the blaze.

The cause of the incident is unknown and an investigation into how the fire started is under way.

Resident Zoe Langley-Wathen said pupils, parents and the whole Yatton community were in shock over the devastating infant school fire.

Yatton Schools Association said in a statement on Monday: “Following today’s shocking and sad events, it’s understandable that people are seeking information. A formal communication will be issued by the school shortly.

It added: “The wonderful school staff and community will work together as always to minimise the impact on pupils. The infant school will remain together.

“We will support the school in any way that we can. We anticipate that many parents and others in the community will want to help our lovely school in getting back on its feet as soon as possible.”

A spokesperson from Avon Fire and Rescue said: “We were called to reports of a fire at a school at 1.18pm. Crews from across the service were mobilised to the incident and on arrival found a significant fire affecting the school site.

“Over the course of the afternoon, crews from Clevedon, Weston, Blagdon, Nailsea, Avonmouth, Kingswood, Temple, Yate, Portishead and Bedminster attended the scene.”

Crews stayed at the scene into the evening damping down the area.