School is destroyed by giant fire

The fire at St Felix School, Newmarket, was well alight said the fire service

A school in Suffolk has been completely destroyed by a fire which ripped through the building.

About 50 firefighters were called to St Felix Middle School in Newmarket this afternoon but it was too dangerous for them to tackle the blaze.

The fire started in the west of the school but quickly spread throughout the building because of the wind, Suffolk Fire Service said.

Investigation into the cause of the fire will continue on Wednesday.

Plumes of smoke could be seen blowing across the A14.

Roads near the school were closed as the cause of the fire was investigated

Gareth George, reporting for the BBC, said: "I am standing at the gates of St Felix Middle School just a few yards from the school buildings themselves, but the smoke is so thick you can't actually see them.

"Above the school a firefighter on a turntable ladder is aiming his jet of water at the centre of the blaze.

"The fire broke out at about 1500 BST but it has been too dangerous for the firefighters themselves to go inside the building.

"Just a short time ago the firefighter who has been leading the operation confirmed the school had been destroyed."

Roads near the school were closed as fire investigators attempted to establish the cause of the fire.