This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/7012958.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Blaze breaks out at city school Blaze breaks out at city school
(about 1 hour later)
A West Midlands secondary school has been evacuated as a "serious" fire caused a building to collapse. A West Midlands secondary school was 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".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. At its height, more than 100 firefighters tackled 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. There have been no reported injuries.
A fire service spokesman added there were no reports of anyone being trapped inside the building.
'Shooting flames''Shooting flames'
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 engulfed a large part of the schoolFire 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 could 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 fire engulfed a large part of the school
"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 the school, which did not have a sprinkler system, would definitely not be open to staff and pupils on Wednesday.
"We will be in a position to make a full assessment tomorrow but the school will not be open to staff or students." Phil Loache, of West Midlands Fire and Rescue, said crews had managed to contain the fire to 40% of the building.
Asbestos has also been found and nearby residents are advised to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed.
The blaze took three and a half hours to be brought under control and crews are expected to remain at the site throughout the night.
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 conditionsSend 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.
Name:
Name: