Pupils and staff are evacuated from school after ‘huge explosion’
‘Huge explosion’ at secondary school sparks blaze and sends massive pillar of smoke billowing into the sky as pupils and staff are evacuated
- A major fire broke out at Northfield Academy in Aberdeen following ‘explosion’
- Scottish Fire and Rescue said blaze broke out on the roof amid building work
- Firefighters got the fire under control after 2pm as smoke billowed into sky
- Pupils and staff were evacuated as locals called major blaze ‘dramatic’
Pupils and staff were today evacuated from a secondary school in Aberdeen after a major fire broke out on the roof following a ‘huge explosion’.
Fire crews were called to Northfield Academy at around 1.43pm, with video on social media showing massive plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky.
Scottish Fire and Rescue said firefighters sent five appliances, including four pumps and a height vehicle, after the school sounded the alarm.
At its height, the blaze could be seen as far as 20 miles away, with Twitter users taking photos of the fire and sharing them online.
Firefighters got the blaze under control after 2.15pm, while Aberdeen City Council said staff and pupils were successfully evacuated.
A council spokesperson said: ‘Due to a fire at Northfield Academy, the school has been evacuated. Arrangements are being made for pupils to go home.’
Building work is taking place at the school, with scaffolding visible around the site. It is not yet known how the big fire started.
One Twitter user said the fire has been caused by a generator, though this is yet to be confirmed by officials. ‘The fire is cause by a generator which was being used during the reconstruction of a school,’ they said.
Another local said: ‘I heard an explosion around 13:48, I hope no one got hurt!’
Police sirens could be heard in the distance as emergency services sealed off the area while concerned locals watched on.
Scottish Greens politician Guy Ingerson called the blaze ‘dramatic’ and told the Evening Express he heard an ‘almighty bang’.
‘We went outside and just saw a massive column of smoke,’ he said. ‘When we heard the bang we could feel it too, it almost felt like the house shook a little.’
Mr Ingerson added: ‘I’m just hoping that everyone is OK. ‘When I went up to have a closer look, there were workers on the roof with high-vis jackets on.’
Local transport providers have urged the public to stay away from the area as traffic has been building for more than an hour.
A fire service spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We were alerted at 1.43pm on Monday, March 22 to reports of a fire at Northfield Academy, Granitehill Place, Aberdeen.
‘Operations Control mobilised four appliances and one aerial rescue pump to the scene. Crews are currently still in attendance. There are no reported casualties at this time.’
Police Scotland has been contacted for information.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow…
