Firefighters worked tirelessly overnight to combat a significant blaze that led to a section of a former school structure collapsing.
Emergency crews have been present at Parkway Middle School in Haverhill since 8:20 pm on Tuesday, May 12, responding to over 60 distress calls from alarmed residents witnessing a massive plume of black smoke engulfing the town, visible from afar the previous evening.
Nine fire teams from Woodbridge, Orford, Haverhill, Wickhambrook, and Bury St Edmunds initially tackled the fire, with an additional three fire engines dispatched at 9:35 pm to help gain control over the inferno, as reported by the East Anglian Daily Times.
As firefighters worked through the night, residents were advised to keep doors and windows shut and avoid the vicinity of the incident. Reports at midnight detailed a collaborative effort by multiple agencies at the dilapidated former school site, where a section of the building succumbed to the flames.
Despite warnings to stay away, not all individuals adhered to the cautionary advice. Social media commentary, including Michelle Chambers’, highlighted concerns over people gathering to witness the fire, risking exposure to potentially harmful smoke.
By early morning, the fire service updated that four fire engines were on-site, with firefighters successfully containing the fire after their overnight efforts.
