School shuts as blaze hits kitchen

From the archive, first published Tuesday 9th Jan 2007.

A primary school was forced to close after fire ripped through part of the building.

The blaze caused substantial damage to the kitchen and dining area at Copthorne Primary School, in All Saints Road, Great Horton, at 3.30am yesterday.

The fire, which started in a store room at the side of the boiler house, is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault and is not being treated as suspicious.

At one stage the fire threatened to spread throughout the entire building as the flames got beneath tin roofing panels which were sandwiching a layer of insulation.

One firefighter was taken to hospital after suffering injuries as fire crews battled for three hours to contain the blaze.

The halls and corridors were severely smoke logged.

Harvey Stewart, watch manager at Bradford Fire Station, said: "The fire was threatening the whole school. It was very difficult to break down and cut through the tin panels which were burning.

"One firefighter was injured by a sledge hammer when she lost her footing. She was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises on her hands."

Mr Stewart added: "We don't suspect the fire was suspicious."

Naila Zaffar, headteacher of the school, was called at 4am yesterday.

She said: "When I was told it was a fire, my first reaction was that it might be arson, so I was relieved to know that it was an electrical fault.

"The fire people are very confident it was an electrical fault in the distribution board in the school kitchen. I think the fire service got here just in time."

Mrs Zaffar said the kitchen would need to have a new roof fitted, the dining room would need to be decorated, but the classrooms had been largely untouched.

She said she was hopeful that children would be able to return to school today. "But they'll have to make do with cold sandwiches, as we won't be able to do catered food until the kitchen is safe," she said.

A member the school's kitchen staff, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was so shocked when I heard the news. The kitchen is still full of smoke and the kitchen office is completely gutted, the only thing that is left is the safe.

"Our overalls, paperwork, even photos of children and grandchildren are all gone. But thankfully no-one was hurt. I've worked here for five years, and work every day from 8.30am to 1.30pm. To be honest it's like a second home for me. I just can't believe it."

A spokesman from West Yorkshire Police said: "At 3.32am on Monday a fire was reported.

"Extensive damage was caused to the kitchen and dining areas, but nobody was injured.

"Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing in conjunction with the West Yorkshire Fire Service."

e-mail: ali.davies@bradford.newsquest.co.uk