Beacon school damaged by fire

The school is expected to be closed for some time

An investigation is underway after a severe fire destroyed five classrooms at a primary school on South Tyneside.

Firefighters were called to Dunn Street Primary, in Jarrow, by the school's caretaker in the early hours of Sunday morning.

At its height around 40 firefighters and nine appliances were at the scene of the fire at the Beacon-status school.

The local authority has advised the parents of the school's 160 pupils not to turn up on Monday and temporary schooling arrangements are currently being made.

'Great risk'

Officer Dave Payne, from the Tyne and Wear fire brigade, said the whole school building had been in danger of being lost.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "When we arrived there was one wing of the school well alight.

"We immediately got a jet to work on the fire and equipped firefighters with breathing apparatus so they could get into the school and try and protect the other classrooms.

"They succeeded in doing that at a great risk to themselves.

"It was a very serious fire that was spreading quickly.

"The crews that went in to the school were met with severe heat and zero visibility. They took a lot of punishment.

"Half the school - five classrooms - has been badly damaged by fire and another quarter affected by smoke.

"I expect the school to be closed for some time."