Fire Destroys Bolton Primary School
The caretaking staff at SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School in Great Lever sounded the alarm on the morning of Thursday, August 17th. Originating as a small fire within a classroom block's roof, the fire rapidly expanded throughout the roof area, causing substantial destruction. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) worked diligently to control the blaze. At the peak of the incident, ten fire vehicles and 85 firefighters from various parts of Greater Manchester were dispatched. Firefighters in protective gear utilised hose reels to ultimately extinguish the flames. Local roads were shut down due to the thick black smoke that enveloped the vicinity.
GMFRS Station Manager Gary Weight, present at the scene, commented, "This is a significant fire that has essentially devastated the school. Fire investigators are present on-site to determine the fire's cause. They will be engaged in this task for the next few hours. Presently, the ignition source remains unknown."
Weight commended the firefighters for their efforts, stating, "Given the magnitude of the fire, our firefighters encountered extremely challenging conditions. However, they effectively prevented the fire from spreading on all sides. I want to express my special appreciation and gratitude to them for operating under such demanding circumstances. The fire was intense, extending across the entire roof. Accessing it posed considerable risks, but they managed to enter the building and extinguish the roof fire. Their actions were successful in preventing the fire from expanding, as the building is surrounded by other properties."
The news stunned both the school staff and local residents. Katie Jones, the headteacher, described the incident as "heartbreaking."
Simon Bramwell, the CEO of Vantage Multi Academy Trust, which oversees the school, mentioned that the extent of the damage remained uncertain. He stated, "There will undoubtedly be significant damage. Once the fire is under control, we will need to assess the roof's structural integrity. As far as we know, only smoke damage has affected the classrooms."
Speaking to The Bolton News, Bramwell expressed gratitude for the firefighters' efforts and confirmed that school officials would assess salvageable areas of the building. The Trust launched a local appeal for book donations to replace the resources lost in the fire. The Trust stated, "We have already received an overwhelming response and deeply appreciate everyone's support."
A representative from Bolton Council acknowledged the shock caused by the school fire. The council understood parents' concerns regarding their children's education. The spokesperson assured that the council's priority, in collaboration with the school, was to minimize disruption to the students' education. Alternative options to accommodate the children were being actively pursued.