There was sadness for pupils at a primary school in Willesden this morning as they surveyed the aftermath of a fire that destroyed the roof and most of the second floor of the building yesterday afternoon.
Pupils at St Joseph’s primary school in Goodson Road arrived in their uniform this morning to find fire fighters putting out the final hot spots of the fire that in the charred remains of roof of the Victorian school building.
They were told the school would be closed until further notice.
Jasmin Toletino, 3, a pupil at St Joseph’s nursery arrived at 9am as her parents had not been informed about the school’s closure.
She watched on as fire crews began to pick through blackened roof scaffolding as the investigation to find the cause of the fire got underway.
Maggie Szegedi-Fitzgibbon, who lives opposite the school gates in Leopold road, said: “This is just awful for the families who have been affected.”
Officers from Brent Council are in discussions with school staff and the diocese of Our Lady of Willesden Catholic church which runs the school to make alternative arrangements for 540 pupils aged from two to 11 years old.
A spokesman for Brent Council said: “The school will be shut until further notice and all parents have been informed.
“There is also some traffic disruption on Goodson Road whilst the school buildings are made safe.
“The school has put in place its business continuity plan with the support of other local schools to ensure that pupils’ education is not affected.
“Parents will be informed as soon as these arrangements are finalised.
He added: “We’re very grateful to the London Fire Brigade for their prompt action, and for working through the night.”
For more updates throughout the day follow @bktimes on Twitter.
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