School car park blaze caused by nearby straw fire

The cars were parked close to the school building

A fire in a school car park was caused by the burning of nearby straw, a fire service said.

At least four vehicles were destroyed in the blaze at Compass School in Lingwood, near Acle, Norfolk, which started before 14:30 BST on Wednesday.

Firefighters from seven stations took about 75 minutes to bring the fire under control.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said it had completed an investigation on scene, and the fire was deemed to be an accident.

The service believed the burning of nearby straw had spread to a hedge close to where the vehicles were parked.

Norfolk Police said it was not treating the blaze as arson.

Charred remains of the vehicles remained

Plumes of dense black smoke billowed from the scene on School Road.

The charred frames of the vehicles could be seen parked close to the specialist school building, which caters for pupils aged between four and 16.

A message on Norfolk County Council's website said the facility would now "close early for the Easter holidays" due to a "serious incident next to the school".

Plumes of smoke could be seen across the village of Lingwood