Massive fire destroys old school in Manchester

A huge fire has ripped through old school building in north Manchester.

Firefighters were called to the fire on Bank House Road in Higher Blackley just after 1am.

The building, the former Camberwell Park School site, has burned down to its framework.

Images from the scene show huge orange flames reaching high into the air.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was nearly out. Crews remain at the scene dampening down hot spots.

Louise Morgan, who lives opposite the building, said: "I woke up at about 1.20am to banging. I thought it was the bin men.

"I came outside. It was bad, black smoke everywhere. It seemed to just go through so fast. We we stood outside for an hour.

"By the time we went in it was covering building. I was quite emotional. Looking through the window I didn't expect it.

"We had to move our cars. It went up quickly and the building started collapsing."

Another neighbour, Mary Grzesk, 64, said: "I was in the bungalow and flashing lights woke me up. And I thought: 'Oh my God'.

"All hell broke loose. They have worked hard. In a way I was worried. It's a shock. It's very dramatic.

"You should have seen it, they had the drone up."

Five fire engines - from Blackley, Chadderton, Hollins and Manchester Central - were scrambled to the site.

Bank House Road has been closed in both directions. Fire chiefs said the closure is not expected to last beyond the morning rush hour.

A large cloud of smoke was seen billowing from the building at the height of the inferno.

Residents are being advised to keep their windows and doors shut.

Group manager Phil Nelson said: “It has been a tough few hours but the fire is now essentially out. Our firefighters have worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames and we will be here through the day ensuring that the scene is fully damped down and there are no further hotspots.

“It is too early at this stage to speculate about a cause. I want to thank colleagues from Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service, the Environment Agency, utilities companies and the local council for their assistance.”