Devastating blaze breaks out at Dean Trust Ardwick on first day of term as high school forced to close

A blaze broke out on the first day of term at the Dean Trust Ardwick Secondary School on Thursday night (January 4), with parents told that their children should not attend on Friday.

The fire, that tore through a classroom on the third floor of a school building, prompted a huge emergency services response, with police closing Stockport Road in both directions.

Eight fire engines, and technical response units and police, cordoned off the main road shortly before 7.30pm as the blaze was brought under control on Thursday evening. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

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In a statement issued by headteacher Mr Steven Worthington on Thursday evening, parents were told the school would be shut the following day, Friday (January 5). It was reported that the building was evacuated after the alarm rang and that the fire was confined to one classroom, thought to be in the English department.

A statement issued by Mr Worthington said: "Some of you may have heard reports of a fire in the school building. To confirm, there was a fire reported in the school building after hours and the school was evacuated. The fire was contained in one classroom and has been put out by the emergency services.

"The emergency services continue to remain onsite in order to deal with smoke ventilation. At this stage, without having further information, we are making the decision to close the school to all Year Groups tomorrow (Friday 5th January). Please do not send your child/children to school tomorrow, Friday 5th January. We will update you with more information tomorrow and, if necessary, over the weekend."

Plumes of smoke could be seen escaping