VIDEO: A35 closed after major school fire at Buckholme Towers (From Thisisdorset)

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11:51am

Grace Dear, 77, could see the damaged roof from her home and looked out to see the firemen in the morning. She said: “I looked out and thought ‘oh no not another fire’. It’s awful isn’t it. It’s a well thought of school.”

11:42am

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I didn’t realise there were so many firefighters there.  You could see the flames coming out the back where the big hole is now. Last night there was black smoke billowing out of it.

"The flames were so high I was worried about the trees. It was a beautiful building and you can imagine a lot of antiques inside. It’s going to be a real shame for all the little kids.”

Parkstone resident Peter McColl said: “I often walk past and notice the building. It’s unassuming but has a historic feel. I’m glad no one was injured but I do feel for the parents and the children. Hopefully the school won’t have to close and will be able to get repairs done quickly.”

11:42am

Dave Graham, from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, has told our reporter Jim Durkin: “We've scaled back the operation massively and a fire investigation will start now. It’s really about damping down and a salvage operation now.

We have no cause for the fire at the moment but hopefully we will have by the end of the day.”

He said the blaze certainly started on the first floor.

11:03am

The teachers were “upset” and “shocked” as they gathered at La Cruz restaurant opposite. David Alderson, manager at the restaurant, came in early to open up for them.

He said: “They are shocked by what’s happened but they are pretty stoic.
“There’s a few upset people but that’s understandable.

“The main thing is the kids are alright as it happened at night time.”

La Cruz provides the catering for the school.

David added: “The teachers are doing a grand job ringing around looking for equipment and somewhere else to open. Maybe there are village halls, schools or other places that can make space available."
 

10:05am

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The fire service have sent us pictures from earlier this morning:

9:48am

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The A35 has just reopened. 

9:29am

Traffic on Salterns Road

9:15am

We've added all the pictures Corin's been sending back this morning to a gallery, which you can view here.

We'll keep adding more photos as we get them.

9:14am

Traffic on Salterns Road

9:14am

The road closure at Ashley Cross.

9:08am

Our photographer Sally is out checking out the traffic - we'll have some pictures soon. She says the worst hit are Salterns Road and Station Road, and Sandbanks Road is very busy but moving. 

9:06am

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We're hearing the A35 is likely to be closed until 12.

8:43am

Jim Durkin, our Poole reporter, is trying to make his way to the school but says the traffic is a nightmare. He's in Sandbanks and says it will be some time before he gets to Ashley Cross.

8:41am

We're trying to upload some video from the scene but we're having technical difficulties so please bear with us!

8:37am

As Katie says, fire crews are removing school work from the damaged building. 

8:34am

Traffic is pretty slow along the A35 as you'd expect with the closure.

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The road is likely to be closed for another couple of hours, we're told.

7:10am

Here's the first picture from the school itself.

7:10am

Here's the first picture from the school itself.

7:07am

7:07am

We're also trying to find out how long the A35 is going to be closed for. Updates as we get them.

7:07am

The cause of the fire is being investigated. Katie says that most of the roof has been destroyed by the blaze. She's in front of the building now and will send some more pictures shortly.

7:06am

 Buckholme Towers headmaster Iain Robertson said: "This is a very sad day in the history of Buckholme Towers School but we must not lose sight of the fact that this is only a building.

"It is the children that are the heart and soul of the school and the most important thing is that they are safe.

"We are working to ensure there is minimal disruption to their education.

"I would like to thank the emergency and support services who have worked so hard in this tragic event."
 

7:05am

Fire crews also requested help from Poole council gritters because of the low temperatures and the risk of excess water running off at the site.
Incident commander Dave Graham said: "Crews are working very hard in this very well established fire. Luckily there are no injuries."
 

7:05am

The fire service was called at 2.47am and sent more than 30 firefighters to the scene from across the conurbation. 
A spokswoman said a large blaze had taken hold on the first and second floors of the preparatory school.

 

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6:55am

Morning. Katie and Corin are out on Commercial Road after a large fire at Buckholme Towers. The road is closed between Parr Street and North Road.

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