OVER the years, Lancashire Telegraph photographers have been witnesses to some pretty dramatic scenes.

Going through the archives we came across a series of photographs which record the aftermath of some devastating fires which struck various schools around East Lancashire over the years.

A major blaze always has an impact on the community but when it is the local school which is affected that impact is often felt more keenly.

In the majority of cases, the classrooms damaged in the fires were rebuilt but that’s not always the case and buildings that for several generations had been a seat of learning and where lasting friendships had been made were lost forever.

These images are a powerful reminder - if ever one was needed - of the dangers faced on a daily basis by our firefighters each and every day as they are called in to tackle these blazes.