VIDEO UPDATE: Millais School in Horsham ‘well alight’ after blaze breaks out in girls’ toilet

More than 30 firefighters were called to a Horsham school after a blaze broke out in the girls’ toilets this afternoon (Thursday March 20).
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Mar 2014, 15:37 BST
Fire at Millais School, Horsham. Picture by Calum Landau, member of band DepartureFromNormal who were visiting the school for a meetingFire at Millais School, Horsham. Picture by Calum Landau, member of band DepartureFromNormal who were visiting the school for a meeting
Fire at Millais School, Horsham. Picture by Calum Landau, member of band DepartureFromNormal who were visiting the school for a meeting

Crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service arrived at Millais School in Depot Road just before 3pm.

Around six pumps were sent to the scene.

A spokesperson for the service said crews responded to reports that the third floor of the building was ‘well alight’.

Fire at Millais School, Horsham. Picture by Calum Landau, member of band DepartureFromNormal who were visiting the school for a meetingFire at Millais School, Horsham. Picture by Calum Landau, member of band DepartureFromNormal who were visiting the school for a meeting
Fire at Millais School, Horsham. Picture by Calum Landau, member of band DepartureFromNormal who were visiting the school for a meeting
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Firefighters used six jets and eight breathing apparatus to tackle to blaze.

The school was evacuated and there are no reports of injury.

Paul Fullylove, 40, manager of the band Departure from Normal, was on his way to a meeting with the band and the head of music at Millais when emergency services arrived.

“We pulled into the car park and saw smoke,” he said.

Millais fire. Picture by John O'Sullivan SUS-140320-154120001Millais fire. Picture by John O'Sullivan SUS-140320-154120001
Millais fire. Picture by John O'Sullivan SUS-140320-154120001

“We walked around to the front and at the front of the building windows were smashing and it looked like the fire was spreading quite badly.

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“It was absolutely devastating really because this school has been so good to us - we have run lessons there and the girls have been fantastic.”

Nearby residents said smoke could be seen and smelt from some distance.

Police have closed Depot Road at the junction with Orchard Road and Comptons Lane.

Officers are diverting traffic.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Related topics:Millais schoolWest Sussex Fire and Rescue Service