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

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

Two fire crews were initially called to the scene at about 5.40am to see flames going through the roof at the back of the building.

The crews immediately requested back-up from four more crews and battled for an hour to bring the fire at the school’s Phoenix Centre under control. At the height of the blaze about 40 firefighters were at the scene.

Three hours after the first call-out, three fire engines were still at the scene, damping down the still-smoking building. 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.

Shocked deputy head Graham Taylor said he received a call early this morning and arrived at the school to find an horrific scene. “The whole back half of the building has gone up,” he said.

Head teacher Jacqui Locke was visibly shocked but praised the speed and effort of the firefighters to limit the damage. “They have been wonderful,” she stressed.

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.”

Police officers have now mounted an investigation into the incident.

NEXT WEEK’S DARTFORD MESSENGER WILL PUBLISH THE FULL STORY