Firefighters have been called to a blaze at a school in Ellesmere Port.
Smoke is billowing from the Seacombe Drive area of the town and police have confirmed the location of the fire is a school in Seacombe Drive.
We will be bringing you live updates as the incident unfolds.
Signing off
Fire crews are still at the scene but the blaze at the disused building on the site of St Saviour’s Catholic Primary School in Great Sutton is now under control. There is still a cordon in place at Seacombe Drive and some residents are waiting to be allowed back into their homes but this is expected to happen in the next hour or so. Therefore we are bringing our live updates from the scene to a close. Thank you for following our coverage this evening.
Air support
The National Police Air Service are providing support during the fire incident in Great Sutton.
Asbestos fears
Speaking to Chronicle reporter Frances Barrett, Mr Anderson said the fire had broken out in a disused building at the back of St Saviour’s School which had been earmarked for demolition anyway.
He explained there had been initial concerns because asbestos had formed part of the building but it was later confirmed the asbestos had been removed from the site just two to three weeks ago.
Limited evacuation of homes
Group manager Mike Anderson of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed a limited evacuation of nearby homes is taking place as the smoke coming from the site is regarded as hazardous.
Five fire engines
Fire spokeswoman Sarah Dornford-May said five fire engines are on scene from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Powey Lane, Runcorn and Bromborough plus the aerial platform. Ground monitors are in place with powerful jets aimed at the blaze from the exterior.
Details of building involved
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service received reports at 5.09pm of a ‘well established’ fire at Saint Saviour’s Catholic Primary School in Seacombe Drive.
A building measuring approximately 100 metres by 50 metres is involved but it has not been confirmed exactly which part of the site is affected.
Smoke billowing from site
Firefighters have been called to a blaze at a school in Ellesmere Port.
Smoke is billowing from the Seacombe Drive area of the town and police have confirmed the location of the fire is a school in Seacombe Drive.
We will be bringing you live updates as the incident unfolds.