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School evacuated after fuel tanker fire

Andy Giddings,West Midlandsand
Charlie Stubbs,in Telford
Declan Two firefighters in light brown clothing and yellow helmets aiming a water jet at a large fire at the end of a road, with trees and bushes in the foregroundDeclan
Firefighters urged people to stay away from the scene

A school had to be evacuated when a fuel tanker caught fire leading to burning fuel running down the street.

The blaze broke out on Telford's Marlborough Way, in the Newdale area, just after midday on Tuesday, West Mercia Police said.

Children from Newdale Primary School, based on the same road, were taken to a nearby Morrisons supermarket to be picked up by their parents, with one telling the BBC that the pupils' playground had been "engulfed in smoke".

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service advised people to stay away from the scene and asked those living nearby to keep all windows and doors closed.

Natasha Jones, who lived close to the scene, said she saw black smoke coming from the area while she was at work.

"I obviously panicked because my son attends the school there and I live there," she said.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service Two firefighters in light brown clothing and yellow helmets directing long yellow hoses at a burning object on a road with bushes on either sideShropshire Fire and Rescue Service
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called just after midday

After being reassured by the school that the children were safe, Jones returned home and said there were "fire engines everywhere".

"All I smelt walking home was petrol," she added.

Jacob Hill, the parent of a Newdale Primary School pupil, praised the way the school handled the situation.

He said when he picked up his child, he was told the whole playground had been "engulfed in smoke" and the school had acted quickly to get the children to run to safety.

A man with short grey-black hair and a yellow reflective jacket standing in front of bushes with a black, burnt-out vehicle behind him
Station Manager Adam Tempest said his crews arrived to find fuel burning on the street

The head teacher then worked with local businesses to get them into shelter until they could be picked up.

Hill said the incident had been "very frightening" and many children were crying when parents arrived.

But he added: "The way that it has been handled by Newdale Primary School was absolutely exceptional."

Wellington Fire Station A road is covered in white foam, with a team of firefighters wearing yellow helmets surrounding a burned-out vehicle in the centre of the image. There are traffic lights in the foreground, which are not lit. In the distance are trees and hedgerows.Wellington Fire Station
The fire service sent nine vehicles to deal with the fire`

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent nine vehicles to deal with the fire.

Adam Tempest, the incident commander, said when they arrived, burning fuel was running down the hill.

"The crews did well in the initial stages to knock that back so we could then focus on the vehicle," he added.

Wellington Fire Station The burned-out remains of a heavy goods vehicle can be seen in the centre of a road which is covered in white foam. There is black and yellow tape stretched between a post and the rear of the vehicle. A house can be seen in the distance behind the vehicle.Wellington Fire Station
Fire crews were able to stop the blaze from spreading to nearby properties

A "running fire" of this type had the potential to cause "a lot of risk and damage" he added.

Some damage was done to bushes close to the road and he said the road might need resurfacing, but they were able to prevent the fire spreading to nearby homes or the school.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said one man was checked over at the scene before being taken to hospital for further treatment.

Nobody else needed attention, a spokesperson added.

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