Fire crews are tackling a major blaze at The Promise School in Okehampton, Devon, after flames engulfed the building this afternoon. Six fire appliances, two aerial ladder platforms and two water carriers were dispatched to the scene at Dartmoor View, with police and ambulance also in attendance.
Dramatic footage showed smoke and flames leaping from the roof of the large building. Nearby resident Glennon Walters said his three-year-old son spotted the smoke from their home. "It was dark smoke, so that normally means something industrial," he told the BBC. "We didn't realise it was the new school until we took the pictures." Another onlooker described the scene as "quite something", while a second local said it was "really scary" to see the interior of the building exposed.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire was ongoing at the specialist academy, which caters for pupils aged 4-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs. A spokesperson said: "Flames and thick black smoke could be seen from a distance." The service said multiple calls were received, and resources including aerial ladder platforms and water carriers were deployed.
The Promise School, part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, provides tailored education for up to 100 students. Its new building only opened to pupils in June 2023, making the fire a significant blow to the community. The school's website describes its mission as making "a positive difference to the life chances of all learners".
An updated statement this evening urged residents to stay indoors, with road closures in place. "Crews are continuing to work at extinguishing the fire using aerial ladder platforms, water and foam jets, providing protection to an adjacent building," the fire service said. Residents in the Stockley Hamlet area were advised to keep doors and windows closed.
