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Blaze breaks out at city school | Blaze breaks out at city school |
(40 minutes later) | |
A West Midlands secondary school has been evacuated as a "serious" fire caused a building to collapse. | |
West Midlands Fire Service said the gym had collapsed and the rest of the Sidney Stringer School in Cox Street, Coventry, was "severely damaged". | |
More than 100 firefighters are tackling the blaze which started at 1530 BST. | More than 100 firefighters are tackling the blaze which started at 1530 BST. |
Pupils were being led out of the affected building when crews arrived, a spokesman said. There have been no reported injuries. | Pupils were being led out of the affected building when crews arrived, a spokesman said. There have been no reported injuries. |
'Shooting flames' | 'Shooting flames' |
Crews have also asked for the rest of the site to be evacuated as they tackle the fire. | Crews have also asked for the rest of the site to be evacuated as they tackle the fire. |
The fire service spokesman added there were no reports of anyone being trapped inside the building. | The fire service spokesman added there were no reports of anyone being trapped inside the building. |
Fire crews were working to stop the fire spreading to the rest of the school, he added. | Fire crews were working to stop the fire spreading to the rest of the school, he added. |
The school is located in the Hillfields area of the city, quite close to the city centre. | The school is located in the Hillfields area of the city, quite close to the city centre. |
BBC Coventry and Warwickshire reporter Tom Cooke said: "You can see the flames shooting up into the sky. | BBC Coventry and Warwickshire reporter Tom Cooke said: "You can see the flames shooting up into the sky. |
"The entire area of Hillfields and this end of town is virtually shrouded in thick, grey smoke. | "The entire area of Hillfields and this end of town is virtually shrouded in thick, grey smoke. |
"The affected building is the sports hall area towards the rear, next to the big astro-turf pitch which is used by the school children and by football clubs during the week." | "The affected building is the sports hall area towards the rear, next to the big astro-turf pitch which is used by the school children and by football clubs during the week." |
Headteacher Brian Worrall said fire crews were trying to contain the blaze. | Headteacher Brian Worrall said fire crews were trying to contain the blaze. |
"We will be in a position to make a full assessment tomorrow but the school will not be open to staff or students." | "We will be in a position to make a full assessment tomorrow but the school will not be open to staff or students." |
The school, which specialises in maths and computing, takes pupils from 11 to 18 and has 1,150 on its books. | The school, which specialises in maths and computing, takes pupils from 11 to 18 and has 1,150 on its books. |
Are you in the area? Did you see the fire? You can send us your comments using the form below: | Are you in the area? Did you see the fire? You can send us your comments using the form below: |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can click here to upload. Click here to see terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can click here to upload. Click here to see terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |