Nottingham school fire: Black smoke seen for miles as blaze erupts
A HUGE blaze has been seen rocketing smoke into the skyline after a fire at a junior school in Nottingham.
Long Eaton: Huge blaze breaks out at Harrington School
A raging inferno has been pictured at Harrington Junior School in Long Eaton, Nottingham.
The blaze is thought to have erupted on Thursday afternoon, shortly after midday.
Long Eaton Fire confirmed that everyone inside had been evacuated.
They said: "The school has been evacuated and everyone is safe and accounted for.
"Firefighters from Long Eaton, Ilkeston and Ascot Drive with an aerial ladder platform are being supported by firefighters from Nottinghamshire’s Arnold, Highfields, London Road, and Stapleford stations.
"A command support unit and water carrier are also assisting the incident from Leicestershire."
Harrington Junior School issued a statement and said they are "heartbroken".
It said: "Our beautiful, vibrant school is on fire.
"No children in school today. All safe.
"Emergency services attending. Please stay away to help. I am heartbroken."
READ MORE: London fire: Huge blaze engulfs block of flats in Bethnal Green
Conservative MP, Dan Pitt, who represents the Derby Road West Ward in Erewash, paid his respects to the “lovely and vibrant school” after it had be ravaged by the fire.
He wrote: ”Terribly sad scenes at Harrington Junior School, which is usually a lovely and vibrant school.
“According to @DerbyshireFRS everyone was evacuated and is safe and accounted for.
"@DerbysPolice are also at the school and some roads are closed.”
Pictures posted on social media showed huge plumes of thick black smoke soaring into the sky.
Dave Holloway wrote on Twitter: “Sirens can be heard in the distance, I hope everyone got out safely.”
Another person wrote: “There’s a fire at Harrington Junior School in Long Eaton.
“My childhood and my brother’s school.”
DON'T MISS
How much will YOUR water bill cost if you use hosepipe during heatwave [REVEAL]
Hosepipe ban warning: UK to see driest May for 124 YEARS [INSIGHT]
Hosepipe ban UK map: Could there be a hosepipe ban where YOU are? [OPINION]
The fire could be seen ripping through the school as people posted videos on social media.
One Twitter user said the smoke from the fire could be seen around 12 miles away in Smalley.
Oliver Record posted a video on Twitter and claimed the whole school was "ablaze".
He wrote: "Harrington School in Long Eaton up in flames.
"The entire building seems to be ablaze."
One person said the smoke was “so bad it’s blocked out the sun”.
Hayley Norris wrote: “So bad it’s blocked out the sun.
“Hope everyone is safe, Harrington School, Long Eaton.”
Erewash Response Unit urged people to avoid the area and said Derby Road is currently closed in both directions and traffic on Petersham Road is heavy.
Eddie Bisknell, from Derbyshire Live, said the school "sits close to Wilsthorpe School and Parklands Infant and Nursery School but these are not affected.”
This dramatic blaze comes hours after a block of flats in Bethnal Green caught on fire early in the morning.
At least three people were rescued as 80 firefighters tackled the blaze.
Two people were rescued by an extension ladder from the fourth floor.
Another fourth floor resident was rescued through the internal staircase.