POLICE and fire officers have launched an investigation after a blaze at a special school in Essex.
Roddy Ashworth
POLICE and fire officers have launched an investigation after a blaze at a special school in Essex.
The fire, at the Essex Fresh Start School in Rectory Lane, Chelmsford, began at around 8pm last night.
The two storey building was described as heavily smoke-logged when fire crews arrived and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) called out one of its specialist aerial ladder platforms to tackle the blaze from above.
Incident commander Martin Mansworth said: “On arrival at the school the smoke was coming from both the ground and first floor.
“One of the classrooms on the ground floor was 100 percent smoke logged and the first floor has been affected by the smoke and heat.
“Firefighters worked excellently in containing the fire and stopping it from spreading to the rest of the building.
“The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage and an investigation will be carried out by ECFRS and the Police.”
Five fire crews were sent to the scene and the blaze was put out by 9.30pm.
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