FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a blaze at a North Yorkshire secondary school overnight.

The fire at Sherburn High School, in Sherburn-in-Elmet, caused serious damage to a single storey building.

Both North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire fire crews were called to the school to deal with the blaze.

Crews remained on scene throughout the night and used multiple main jets and ground monitors.


The incident was then scaled down to two appliances. They remained at the scene for part of today damping down hot spots.

Fire investigators are attending to carry out a full investigation of the scene and to try and determine the cause of the blaze.

The school's head teacher, Maria Williams, has praised the work of the emergency services. 

Simon Gallagher, group manager for North Yorkshire Fire Service, said the areas worst hit were the gymnasium and changing rooms. 

He commented: "The fire investigation team is due out this morning to carry out a full investigation of the scene. They will work through what is left of the building to ascertain the cause.


"The crews worked hard to stop the fire spreading to other areas of the school and we have restricted it to one section. Realistically it could have become a major fire if it spread to the main school building so we kept it relatively small from what it could have become. 

"There is some heat damage to some other parts such as the side of the sports hall."

He added: "I do commend the professionalism of the firefighters from both West and North Yorkshire."

The school has confirmed that it is closed to everyone today due to the serious fire.

A cleaner, who works at the school but didn't want to be named, said: "My partner had just got back from work. I was already in bed. He woke me up and said 'the school is on fire'.

"I looked out and I could see smoke in the distance. I couldn't see the flames, I could see a glow."

A parent, who has two children at the school, but didn't want to be named, said: "The school texted me at 5.17am saying, due to a serious incident the school will be closed today. I saw pictures and videos on social media. I was just a bit shocked. It's a good job it wasn't bigger or they might not be going back to school for a while. At this rate I think they might be going back to school tomorrow or the next day.

"It looked like quite a big fire from the photos."

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said assessments are being made to see what parts of the school can be used and those meetings are happening now.

Cllr Mel Hobson, ward councillor for Sherburn in Elmet, said: "The county council are working behind the scenes at the school to get things back up and running as soon as possible to give the children continuity and stability. I want to emphasise how fantastic the emergency services have been. They have done a first class job."