FIREFIGHTERS are battling a large fire at a school in Devon.

The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service were called to the blaze at The Promise School, in Okehampton, at around 3.30pm.

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Firefighters are tackling the huge fire at The Promise School, in OkehamptonCredit: FPS Images
 

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The fire service say around 15 vehicles are at the sceneCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
 

Aerial view of a building on fire with heavy smoke billowing from the collapsed roof structure, with solar panels visible on a nearby building.
The fire broke out at around 3.30pm this afternoon
A spokesperson for the fire service said reports came in of “flames” and “thick black smoke” in the area.

They said around 12 appliances were at the scene, along with specialist equipment.

Crews were using water jets and aerial ladder platforms to tackle the fire.

The building has been severely damaged, according to fire officials.

So far, no injuries have been reported.

Glennon Walters, who lives nearby, said his three-year-old son saw the smoke through the window of their home.

He told the BBC: “It was dark smoke, so that normally means something industrial.

So we knew it was up in the industrial estate just from the smoke, but we didn’t realise it was the new school until we took the pictures.”

Sgt Tom Ottley, from the Devon and Cornwall Police said there was “significant damage to the entire school”.

“[It is] quite a significant sized blaze, fire have it under control, we don’t believe there’s any further risk to property or any casualties at the moment, so it’s just about trying to control the damage and assess the damage thereafter.”

He added police were in touch with the school and parents of its pupils would be contacted overnight to let them know about plans for the coming days.

He urged anyone who worked in the area to check for the latest information on Monday before travelling.

Road closures have been put in place.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix said: “Exeter Road in both directions closed due to fire services activity between Beardown Road and A30 (Okehampton Services).”

Devon Alert on X, formerly Twitter, posted: “The B3260 is currently closed at Stockley Hamlet due to a large fire. Please find an alternative route.”

The Promise School is a specialist academy in Okehampton that caters to pupils aged 4–16 with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs, according to Cornwall Live.

The school was due to reopen to students on Monday after being closed for half-term.

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There has been ‘significant damage’ to the schoolCredit: FPS Images