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A primary school in Stoke Gifford is closed today (December 9) after a huge fire broke out late last night.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called to St Michael’s Primary School shortly before 9.30pm, with around 40 firefighters from all over Bristol reportedly attending to tackle the blaze.
A fire service spokesperson told the BBC: “We’re at the scene of a severe fire and we would encourage people to stay away from the area and to keep doors and windows shut.”
The flames were put out overnight, but the school has informed parents and guardians it will be unable to open today as investigations are carried out.
An email sent by the headteacher read: “I would like all parents and carers to know that school will be closed tomorrow due to a fire breaking out.
“The fire is out, but due to the investigation needing to take place in the morning and relevant organisations needing to sign off the building being safe, we will be unable to open to children.
“Everyone is safe (including the chickens) and accounted for, and I apologise for the inconvenience. We hope we will be open to children on Tuesday.”
And those in the community have been left “heartbroken” by the news, with one posting on a local Facebook page: “I cannot believe it. The kids are going to be heartbroken.”
Another added: “Our poor school. Thinking of all the children, parents, and of course the teachers and headteacher who will be utterly devastated. Praying the damage is not too severe.”
And a third wrote: “This is just awful. My family had three generations of schooling with St Michael’s. Never seen anything like this. So sad. I hope nobody is hurt.”
Meanwhile, another local resident reported seeing a number of fire engines on the school playground late on Sunday night as the fire raged, and commented: “Fire engines on site from all over Bristol. Can’t count them because many are in the playground. Whatever is on fire I get the impression it’s at the rear of the school.”
