Firefighters in Derbyshire have tackled their second school blaze in three days.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) was called to the incident at Ravensdale Infant School in Mickleover at 1.38am on Monday.
A spokesman said the blaze had caused “extensive damage” but was now under control.
There have been no casualties as a result of the blaze, the fire service said.
The incident follows a “devastating” fire just over four miles away at St Mary’s School in Darley Abbey, which resulted in the total loss of the building.
Derbyshire Police said it was “too early” to make any link between the two fires, but an investigation was ongoing.
Six fire engines spent the day tackling the blaze after they were called to the scene at 5.24am on Saturday.
Shocked and saddened that Derbyshire has seen a second devastating school fire in the same weekend. Crews from @DerbyshireFRS have been firefighting throughout the night. ?? Tragically most of the infant school lost. Will work with @NFCC_FireChiefs to make new schools safer pic.twitter.com/1QYrP6s9Mz
— Gavin Tomlinson (@GavinGtomlins) October 5, 2020
Commenting on the Mickleover fire, area manager Clive Stanbrook said: “Firefighters from across Derbyshire have been working hard since early this morning fighting the fire at Ravensdale Infant School.
“Crews worked swiftly to control the spread of the fire, with the fire now under control; however, sadly, large parts of the infant school have suffered extensive damage. We expect to have a presence at the fire throughout the day.
“Tragically this is the second school fire in Derbyshire in less than 48 hours, with St Mary’s School in Darley Abbey being destroyed by a severe fire on Saturday morning.”
Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Gavin Tomlinson, tweeted after the blaze, saying: “Shocked and saddened that Derbyshire has seen a second devastating school fire in the same weekend.
“Crews from DFRS have been firefighting throughout the night.
We are a close-knit school community, and the Juniors will support the Infant School in any way possible over the coming days and weeks. For now however, we need parents and children to stay away from the school while Fire and Police services carry out their investigations.
— Ravensdale Junior School (@ravensdalejr) October 5, 2020
“Tragically most of the infant school lost. Will work with the National Fire Chiefs Council to make new schools safer.”
Residents living near Ravensdale Infant School have been asked to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the area due to smoke from the fire.
A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: “The force was called to reports of a fire at Ravensdale Junior School in Mickleover at 1.45am.
“Officers have been supporting colleagues from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service in fighting the fire, which continue at this time.
“At this time, it is too early to make any links between this fire and the incident at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Broadway, Derby, which occurred on Saturday.
“The joint police and fire investigation continues in relation to the incident in Darley Abbey and we would urge anyone with any information about either incident to come forward to help with our inquiries.”
