As crews continued to tackle a major fire at The Promise School, firefighters were given a morale-boosting delivery of 50 portions of chips from a local pub owner.
Okehampton Fire Station shared its thanks in a social media post as crews worked for hours to bring the blaze under control.
The station said: “As crews from across Devon continue to fight the fire up the Promise school, we would like to thank Simon Chudley from the London Inn/ The Copper Key for supplying 50 portion of chips for the working crews! It’s deeply appreciated.”
Smoke was seen billowing into the sky above Okehampton on Sunday, February 22 after the roof of The Promise School, on Dartmoor View, caught fire. The incident was first reported at 3.30pm.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service initially sent six fire appliances, two aerial ladder platforms and two water carriers to the scene. Devon and Cornwall Police and the South Western Ambulance Service also attended.
The fire continued for several hours and was still ongoing into the evening, with an additional six appliances sent to provide extra firefighters and water.
In an update issued at 5.45pm on Sunday, a fire service spokesperson said: “Crews are using water jets and the aerial ladder platforms to tackle the fire. The incident is creating a significant smoke plume in the area, and the building is severely damaged. No injuries reported.”
The B3260 Exeter Road was closed in both directions from 6.30pm near Okehampton Services as emergency services dealt with the incident.
The Promise School is a specialist academy catering for pupils aged four to 16 with social, emotional and mental health needs. Part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, it provides education for up to 100 students.
The school had opened its new building to pupils in June 2023. It had been closed for the past week due to the half-term break and had been due to reopen on Monday, February 23.
