Major Fire Devastates £10.7 Million Specialist School in Devon
A devastating fire has caused severe damage to a £10.7 million specialist school in Devon, after a huge blaze tore through the building for hours on Sunday afternoon. Emergency services were alerted to the inferno at approximately 3:30pm, prompting a rapid response from around 15 fire engines and specialist appliances.
Emergency Response and Smoke Plume
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving multiple calls describing 'flames' and 'thick black smoke' rising from The Promise School in Okehampton. By 5:45pm, crews remained at the scene, with the service confirming the fire was generating a 'significant smoke plume' visible across the local area. The building has been left extensively damaged by the intense flames.
Public Safety Warnings Issued
Police issued urgent warnings to residents and motorists as a precautionary measure:
- Residents in nearby areas, including Stockley Hamlet, were advised to keep windows and doors closed.
- Motorists were urged to avoid travelling into the vicinity to allow emergency vehicles clear access.
Local resident Glennon Walters recounted how his three-year-old son first spotted the dark smoke from their home. 'It was dark smoke, so that normally means something industrial. We knew it was up in the industrial estate just from the smoke, but we didn't realise it was the new school until we took the pictures,' he said.
No Injuries Reported Despite Significant Damage
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported despite the scale of the fire. Sergeant Tom Ottley stated there was 'significant damage to the entire school'. He added, '[It is] quite a significant-sized blaze, fire have it under control, we don't believe there's any further risk to property or any casualties at the moment, so it's just about trying to control the damage and assess the damage thereafter.'
School Details and Ongoing Investigations
The Promise School, which opened in 2022, is a specialist academy catering to pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Officers are now liaising with the school, and parents are expected to be contacted overnight with details of plans for the coming days. Sergeant Ottley also urged anyone who works in the area to check for updates on Monday before travelling, as crews continue damping down the scene.
The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time, with investigations likely to follow once the site is secured. The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of educational facilities to such disasters, particularly those serving vulnerable student populations.
