A fire that engulfed almost three-quarters of a primary school in east London has been brought under control, almost four hours after the alarm was first raised.

London fire brigade said the blaze caused “significant damage” to Roding primary school in Dagenham. The fire was declared under control at 8.40am on Tuesday after firefighters removed a propane canister they feared would explode.

Speaking from the scene, the station manager Rod Wainwright said: “Flames could be seen from some distance away and crews were faced with a serious blaze when they arrived on the scene.”

“They worked very hard to bring the fire under control but given the intensity of the fire, there is unfortunately significant damage to the school.”

The 500-pupil school was due to open for the start of the autumn term on Wednesday. “It is unfortunate timing that this fire has occurred just before the start of term,” Wainwright said.

A nearby school, Saint Teresa Catholic primary, had been due to open on Tuesday, but was closed as a precaution.

The front of the Roding school showed little sign of damage, but at the rear the charred remains of gutted classrooms were exposed. Firefighters could be seen emerging from the building with blackened faces.

London fire brigade said it was called to the fire at 4.50am. By dawn, 70% of the single-storey building was alight, according to a spokesman.

Twelve fire engines and four water jets were involved in tackling the blaze.



The cause of the fire is unknown. Wainwright said: “It is too soon to speculate on the cause but as soon as they’re able to, fire investigators will enter the site to start their work.”

A photograph of the fire taken by a local resident showed it lighting up the dawn sky above Dagenham.

@LondonFire rodding primary school# Dagenham up in flames pic.twitter.com/7oBOWy61ib — Jon h (@67jrde) September 4, 2018

The part of the school affected is understood to be an extension of the main brick building that sits at the back of the grounds. Unlike the front-facing section of the site, it is understood to be made from wood and other less fire-resistant material. Tuesday morning’s fire razed that area of the school to little more than smoking fragments.

Corina Turcanu, 33, who lives in a house backing on to the school grounds, was awoken by the blaze. She said: “At first I thought it was a house, I could see the fire creeping up. I was worried because the fire was coming towards our side and sparks were flying down into our garden.”