School to close for second day after serious fire

A Shropshire school hit by a serious fire is to remain closed for a second day.

Five crews were called to St Martins School, near Oswestry, at about 17:15 BST on Sunday.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews dealt with the blaze from nearby rooftops after flames and smoke were reported coming from the school hall. Investigations are continuing, but the service said it was accidental.

On Monday afternoon, head teacher Alison Pope said the school would remain shut on Tuesday and the fire service was still on scene, monitoring the site.

Solar panel link probed

She said lesson resources were available online and printed activity packs would be available to collect from St Martins community centre between 09:30 and 13:00 BST on Tuesday.

Mrs Pope added those who received free school meals could fill in an online form and the meals could be collected from the centre from 13:00 on Tuesday.

"We are currently looking at logistics for the rest of the week and will communicate daily to parents/carers," she added.

The school is closed to pupils as firefighters remain at the scene

On Monday, a message to parents from Mrs Pope was posted by Ellesmere Fire Station on Facebook.

It said: "Initial information indicates the fire may be linked to our solar panels. It is not believed at this time that the fire was deliberate."

Mark Millward, from Shropshire Fire Service, said investigators were working to find out the cause.

"What we are sure of at this stage is that it wasn't deliberate - so it was accidental," he told the BBC.

"I understand from crews that are attending that there is some damage to the exterior of the building itself. We’re just there at the minute using thermal imaging cameras to make sure that there's no areas of fire still unforeseen."

Crews were ensuring there was no further danger, fire officials said

Mr Millward said when crews had been called, a fire had been developing at the back of the school.

"By about seven o'clock we had the fire under control and we were able to stop the fire spreading any further and causing any further damage," he said.

Crews were sent from Baschurch, Ellesmere, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Telford.

Mr Millward added they were now working with the school on steps forward, but did not know when it would reopen.

"We will advise them on the safety of the building as well," he said.

"It was swift intervention from our crews… and I think if it hadn't been for the swift actions of the firefighters, we could've been looking at a very worse picture this morning."