Investigation into massive school blaze begins

Monday, September 10, 2012
9:59 AM

AN investigation is underway into the cause of a huge fire which broke out at a secondary school last Thursday.

More than 1,000 students and staff had to be evacuated from Sawston Village College when flames engulfed the school’s public library at around 2.15pm.

Crews from Saffron Walden, Sawston, Cambridge, Royston, Huntingdon and Newmarket tackled the blaze, which was under control by 4pm.

A spokesman from Cambridgeshire fire service said the fire was in the oldest part of the school and affected the whole building.

Maurice Moore, area commander, said: “Firefighters worked extremely hard to put in fire breaks at either end of the library and stopped the fire from spreading.”

An investigation into the cause of the fire began on Friday, although arson has been ruled out.

The college was closed to pupils on Friday while the cost of the damage was assessed.