Residents urged to shut windows as fire rips through SEND school

Emergency services are tackling a large blaze near a business centre, with residents warned to keep their doors and windows closed as thick smoke rises into the sky.

Devon and Cornwall Police said on Sunday, February 22 at around 4.30pm that: “Emergency services are dealing with a large fire near the Okehampton Business Centre on the B3260. Please could residents in the Stockley Hamlet area ensure that doors and windows are closed whilst Fire and Rescue Services tackle the blaze.”

Residents in the area said the building affected is The Promise School.

Footage of the fire has been shared by Brian Johnston.

The Promise School is a specialist school situated on the edge of Dartmoor. It currently offers education to 80 students and aims to grow in the coming years.

All students at the school have education, health and care plans with social, emotional and mental health needs identified. The majority also have additional special educational needs such as communication and interaction difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

The school states that it is committed to supporting young people to build self-esteem and confidence, develop positive friendships and engage in a curriculum designed to help them succeed in adult life.

The Promise School is closed for half term from Thursday, February 13 until Friday, February 20. It was due to reopen on Monday, February 23.

Jo Edwards from Solace in Devon said: “Every child who attends that school is there because their needs cannot be met in a mainstream school. Any mainstream school. There may well be violent or destructive behaviours. School may well be the one constant in the child and in the carer’s life. Parents and carers will be frantically trying to work out logistics of keeping children home, working, caring for others, whilst giving information to children whose nervous systems are likely to be dysregulated.

“If you know someone whose child attends, please do not assume “it is just a fire”. Please check in on them. Many special needs families are clinging on and one more thing can be devastating.

“Tomorrow the White Paper setting out the proposed changes to SEND education is due to be released. This is a further stress for many families.

Please too give a thought for the teachers, teaching assistants and school staff who will be worrying.

“If anyone is reliant on school for lunches, I’m sure we can assistance through Okehampton Community Kitchen and Foodbank. If anyone needs a space for their child to let off steam, you’re welcome to come to us at Solace in Devon

“Please let’s pull together and get everyone through this.”