A derelict school is destroyed in blaze

Fire at former Marland Fold School in Fitton Hill. PIC from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service..

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INVESTIGATIONS are underway into a large fire at a derelict school in the Fitton Hill area yesterday.

The blaze at the Marland Fold School building was reported just before 5pm yesterday evening, and smoke could be seen miles away in Ashton and Manchester city centre.

Thick smoke billowed high into the sky and flames could be seen above the roofs of streets around the single-storey school building.

Some nearby homes were temporarily evacuated, while other households were asked to keep windows and doors shut, as more than 30 firefighters dealt with the blaze.

Local roads, including Rosary Road, were closed for a while and water supplies were affected during the operations of the emergency services' .

Firefighters were still at the scene today and said the school had been totally destroyed by the blaze.