IPSWICH, Suffolk — Emergency services responded to a fire at Sidegate Primary School on Sidegate Lane in Ipswich on Wednesday afternoon after staff reported the smell of smoke inside the building.
According to Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, the incident was first reported at approximately 12:28 p.m. when a member of staff contacted emergency control operators after detecting smoke. The source of the smoke was initially unknown.
School staff immediately implemented evacuation procedures, ensuring that all pupils, staff members, and visitors safely left the premises. Fire officials confirmed that no one remained inside the building following the evacuation.
Multiple fire crews were dispatched to the scene, including teams from Ipswich Princes Street, Ipswich East, Needham Market, and Haverhill. Resources deployed included four standard fire appliances, a rescue tender equipped with specialist equipment, and an aerial ladder platform.
Upon arrival, firefighters determined that the fire had taken hold within the roof structure of a school building. Emergency personnel quickly began firefighting operations while police assisted by establishing temporary road closures in the surrounding area to ensure public safety and allow emergency vehicles unrestricted access.
Authorities advised residents and motorists to avoid the area while crews worked to contain the blaze.
A later update from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that parents had begun collecting children from the school as a precautionary measure. Firefighters reported that the fire had been brought under control and was believed to be extinguished, with crews remaining on site to check for hotspots and prevent any possibility of reignition.
Officials stated that the fire was located in the roof space of the school’s Early Years building, a single-storey structure measuring approximately 40 metres by 40 metres. The incident was contained to that section of the school.
Following successful firefighting operations, Sidegate Lane was reopened after an earlier closure, allowing traffic to resume normal movement in the area.
No injuries have been reported, and the swift evacuation carried out by school staff has been praised as an important factor in ensuring everyone’s safety. Emergency services continue to assess the affected building, and investigations into the cause of the fire are expected to take place.
The incident occurred amid an amber weather warning for extreme heat across Suffolk, with temperatures forecast to remain exceptionally high through the week. Authorities continue to encourage residents to remain vigilant regarding fire safety during periods of hot weather.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service thanked staff, parents, emergency responders, and members of the public for their cooperation throughout the incident. Further updates may be provided as investigations continue.
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