Dagenham school fire: Huge blaze breaks out at Roding Primary School one day before children return from summer break

Pic:Roding primary School fire(image-wp)
Staff reporter(wp/es):

A huge blaze has broken out at a primary school in east London one day before its children return from the summer break.

Dramatic images showed huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as firefighters tackled the flames at Roding Primary school in Dagenham on Tuesday morning.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were battling the blaze, which broke out shortly before 5am in Hewett Road.

London Fire Brigade said that about half of the single-storey building was alight and that crews from several stations were called.

The fire has now been brought under control. 

Station manager Rod Wainwright said: ""Flames could be seen from some distance away and crews were faced with a serious blaze when they arrived on the scene.

"They worked very hard to bring the fire under control but given the intensity of the fire, there is unfortunately significant damage to the school.

"It is unfortunate timing that this fire has occurred just before the start of term.

"It is too soon to speculate on the cause of the fire but as soon as they're able to, fire investigators will enter the site to start their work."

Crews removed a gas cylinder from the school building and have been cooling it down to prevent the risk of explosion. 

Those who live nearby were told to keep their windows and doors shut due to the smoke. 

A statement on the school’s website said the children are set to return from the summer holiday on Wednesday.The school has 1,300 pupils. 

It is unclear when the school will reopen. 

Saint Theresa Catholic Primary School has also been closed for the day due to the smoke.