Fire-hit primary school evacuated

No injuries were reported as a result of the school fire

Two hundred and thirty children and their teachers were evacuated from a primary school when fire broke out.

About 70 firefighters tackled the serious blaze at Lympne Church of England School, near Hythe, in Kent.

The school hall collapsed as a result of the fire and several other buildings were also gutted.

Pupils were led to safety and taken to Lympne Village Hall. The county council said they were "fed and watered" before being picked up by their parents.

'Really scary'

"They are all totally safe," said the council's director of operations, Ian Craig.

"It was pretty traumatic I would have thought for all of them, but we'll be working with the staff to make sure we offer any support we need to."

One young girl said the fire and evacuation had been "really scary, everyone was really crying and all our stuff was ruined".

The school hall collapsed about an hour after the fire broke out

Crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service were called to the school, in Octavian Drive, just before 0945 BST on Wednesday.

Initial suggestions were that an electrical fault, possibly in a roof void above the staff room, was to blame.

Fire officer Paul Flaherty said the blaze was under control with crews now damping down.

"The damage is quite considerable," Mr Craig added.

"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."

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