Huge fire at Essex school

Footage captured by cameraman Stephen Huntley.

Fire crews are continuing to damp down after a huge fire at a boarding house at Felsted school in Essex.

No pupils were there at the time but 25 students and staff from a language school were evacuated from the building

Crews are using one hose reel jet and one aerial ladder platform.

Assistant Divisional Officer Vernon Kendall, officer in charge, said: "The building is no longer on fire but it is smoldering and there are hot-spots throughout.

"Ours is now a watching brief, we will continue to put water on to cool it and ensuring that the fire does not flare back up again."

An historic building at a boarding school in Essex has been destroyed by fire. About 40 firefighters have spent the night at Felsted school near Braintree, trying to control the blaze, which broke out at about 8.00pm last night.

No pupils were in residence at Follyfield House - which is a girls' boarding house - but Stafford House International Summer School were in residence and all children and staff were evacuated immediately after the alarm was raised.

A statement from Chris Townsend, Deputy Head of the school said: "The damage will be assessed over the coming days and parents, pupils and staff will be kept informed of any subsequent arrangements before the start of term, but we do not anticipate any changes at this stage."

The fire also lead to the closure of the B1417 Braintree Road for most of the night between Garnetts Lane and Station Road.