Blaze destroys primary school

Blaze destroys primary school

The fire caused massive damage

Parents of pupils whose school was destroyed by fire have said they are worried about where their children will be educated.

Cefn Wood Junior and Infants school in Ebenezer Drive, Rogerstone, near Newport, was gutted in the blaze on Wednesday evening. No-one was hurt.

Four fire engines were needed to put out the fire and neighbours described the air as being filled with thick black smoke while the flames took hold.

South Wales Fire Service and scenes of crimes officers from Gwent Police were carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire on Thursday morning.

But parents have said they are worried about where the children will be schooled when the Easter holiday ends.

"It's going to cause a lot of upset and concern," said Louise Davies, whose five-year-old daughter Isobel Baldwin attends the school.

I am very concerned about where the children are all going to go and I hope we get some answers soon

Louise Davies, parent

"No one knows where the children are going to be dispersed to.

"My daughter is away at the moment and doesn't know about the fire, but I know she is going to be very upset about it.

"She loved school and had gained a lot of confidence there.

"I know that she is going to be so upset because all of their art work and books have been destroyed.

"I am very concerned about where the children are all going to go and I hope we get some answers soon," she said.

Ferocious

Ms Davies, who could see the fire from her house said she was shocked when she saw what was happening.

"I could see it from my window and the intensity of the blaze and the blackness of the smoke was awful.

"It was so fierce and ferocious. It is absolutely devastating for the community.

"Thank God the children were not there."

Four fire engines were needed

Another parent, Emma Bishop, said she was concerned about where her child, three-year-old Cariss, who goes to nursery at the school, would now be educated.

"I think everyone is deeply saddened by this," she said.

"The children are going to be distressed and I am worried where she will have to go to school now."

Newport council said that it was making contingency plans for the Cefn Wood children's education.

Plans

A council spokesperson said: "Our priorities are to keep the school community together and ensure that pupils are able to resume the new school term with the minimum of disruption.

"We will be informing parents of our contingency plans as soon as possible.

"We will also be inviting parents to attend a meeting at Bassaleg lower school on Thursday, 24 April, where they will be given details of our plans.

"In the meantime parents can call 01633 656 666 to receive information on the current situation."