News

BUILDING COLLAPSES AS FIRE ENGULFS SHEPWAY PRIMARY SCHOOL

More than 200 children and their teachers  escaped unhurt from Lympne Church of England Primary School, near Hythe when fire broke out just before 10.00am  this morning (13 September).

Fire engulfed the school in minutes and within an hour the school hall had collapsed and several other buildings were also gutted.

About 70 firefighters tackled the  blaze in Octavian Drive in the village. Initial suggestions were that an electrical fault, possibly in a roof void above the staff room, was to blame.

Pupils were led to safety and taken to Lympne Village Hall.

Residents were told to keep windows shut as thick smoke billowed out from the school.

People reported seeing the flames from as far away as Dymchurch.

Shepway council's director of operations, Ian Craig confirmed that all the children were safe. "The damage is quite considerable.

"It doesn't look as if the children will be back at that school in the near future.

"We'll have to look into alternative provision as soon as possible."  Mr Craig added.

The Gazette have been told that the school is so badly damaged , it will need to be demolished.

David Adams, Kent County Council's Area Education Officer is inspecting the alternative accomodation tomorrow.

In the meantime the Churchill School in Hawkinge has offered to take Lympne pupils.