Tears and heartbreak as inferno rips through primary school
17.08.2023 - 16:45
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
As clouds of thick smoke billowed from the roof of SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School, a crowd of people gathered behind a police cordon.
Some held out mobile phones and took pictures and videos while others watched on in disbelief. "It's just horrendous," said one parent, watching on helplessly as scores of firefighters attempted to bring the flames under control.
Ten fire crews descended on the primary school, in Great Lever, Bolton from 8.30am today (Thursday) after reports the roof was on fire.
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Images and video footage from the scene in Newport Road showed huge plumes of thick black smoke billowing out into the sky for miles around.
After firefighters arrived on scene, people living near to the school were urged to avoid the area and keep windows and doors shut. Yet the apocalyptic scenes drew crowds of onlookers, many of whom spilled out of homes on the terraced streets nearby.
“I’m gutted,” said one woman as she struggled to hold back tears. “What about all them kids? I’ve lived here a long time and that school has always been here.”
One parent described her son, who is due to start in year six next month, as ‘heartbroken’. “It’s his last year and they’ve got their SATs," she said. "We don’t know what’s going to happen now.”
It's understood there were people inside the school at the time but there are no reports of any injuries. It's also believed the school's classrooms escaped damage by fire but have been left badly smoke-logged.
As crews used hose reels and an aerial platform to douse the flames. Newport Road and several surrounding streets were cordoned off for several hours. As of Thursday afternoon, the blaze