Photo: Mark Seacombe
The fire at Pucklechurch Primary School on Saturday afternoon is being treated as arson.
Money has been pouring in to a crowdfunding appeal set up by the PTA to help replace essential lost equipment and so far over £7,000 had been raised by more than 200 people.
An Avon Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson said they got the call to the Castle Road school at 4.59pm on Saturday.
“Crews from Yate and Temple attended and found the fire in a lean-to shed, affecting the school building. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three high pressure hose reels to extinguish the fire and positive pressure ventilation fans to clear smoke.
“The cause of the fire is thought to be deliberate ignition.”
In a message to parents, headteacher Alexandra Capel has thanked everyone for their generosity and offers of help: “We have to be thankful that no one was hurt. The fire brigade have been absolutely amazing along with the police – we are so lucky to have such amazing emergency services.”
She said the fire had affected the Year 1 classroom and there was smoke damage in the rooms around it.
The school is closed to Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 pupils today for assessment of the damage and for police to compete their investigations.
Mrs Capel added: “I am very upset that this could happen to our beautiful school but our school family will get through this as we always do.”
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