A PRESTON headmistress watched in horror as fire wrecked her school.

Flames tore through the roof of Deepdale County Primary's infant block on Tuesday afternoon (August 5).

Around a dozen fire engines and 40 firefighters from across the county battled with the blaze, using the brigade's aerial and turntable ladders.

It took nine hours to control the flames and make the devastated building safe. Hundreds of damaged slate tiles had to be ripped from the roof.

Headteacher Ann Desforges was stunned. She had been working at the school just the day before. She said: "I feel shock and desperation.

"Last summer I helped builders put new floors, furniture and decoration in the school.

"Lots of loving care has been put in to make the old building look attractive which was recognised by a recent OFSTED inspection.

"It's taken years and such hard work by staff and the community and now it's all been destroyed."

Pupils from the two ruined classrooms will be housed elsewhere in the school when term begins, or may even have to use a mobile hut on the site.

Divisional officer Geoff Jenkinson from the fire brigade said the damage ran into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tried to salvage equipment from the burning building.

DO Jenkinson said: "The fire started and spread on the roof so it was difficult to see the extent of the burning and get at it.

"We had to make sure there were no pockets of flames left in the timber structure."

Witnesses said the whole of St Stephen's Road was thick with smoke and it was hard to see and breathe. Rizwan Patel, a former pupil of Deepdale Primary, watched with sadness as the building crumbled. He said: "It's like it's not really happening. It's an awful dream.

"Children play hide and seek on the roof, especially during the holidays. It's unbelievable no-one was hurt."

Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the blaze which is believed to be suspicious. Police are appealing for witnesses and information. Contact Fulwood Police on 01772 209542 if you can help.

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