FIREFIGHTERS today tackled a big blaze at a school that caters for children with additional educational needs and medical conditions.

The blaze broke out at the West Kent Hospital School in Main Road, Longfield, near Dartford.

Two fire crews were initially called to the scene at around 5.40am and immediately requested back-up from four more crews. At the height of the blaze about 40 firefighters were at the scene. It is understood nobody has been injured.

Fire crews used breathing apparatus and hydrants to tackle the blaze in the single-storey block of classrooms, measuring 50m x 5m. The blaze had started in the school’s Phoenix Centre.

Simon Webb, the area education officer for Dartford and Gravesham, said: “There is significant damage to 50 per cent of the school. This damage has occurred to outdoor huts and the old school building.

“At the moment we are trying to ascertain the situation and I will be on site later today to manage the situation. The fire brigade has been brilliant.”