Qld: Fire destroys school building

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Qld: Fire destroys school building

By John Sheed

BRISBANE, Aug 31 AAP - Fire has destroyed a classroom block at the Wooloowin PrimarySchool in Brisbane's inner northern suburb of Windsor.

Firefighters were called to the school just after 4pm (AEST) today to find the block well ablaze.

"It was an older style brick and fibro building and we had to use breathing apparatusto fight the blaze," senior fire operations officer Peter Fraser said.

Mr Fraser said four pump units had to be used to get water onto the blaze, but thedouble-storey block suffered severe damage, including having part of the roof collapse.

He said the block contained about six classrooms and offices.

Police said the annual fete was underway at the school in Lutwyche Road and peoplehad to be evacuated from the scene after the fire broke out.

Mr Fraser said fire investigation officers had arrived at the scene but the cause ofthe fire was still to be determined.

"It's way too early to determine that yet, but the blaze is under control now," he said.

Education Minister Anna Bligh said because of the investigation there would be no classesat the school tomorrow.

"Because most of the school will be roped off for the investigation it would be preferableif no students showed up for school tomorrow," a spokeswoman for Ms Bligh said.

"However if children do show up parents can be assured that they will be properly supervised,"

she said.

AAP jfs/sjb/de

KEYWORD: WOOLOOWIN NIGHTLEAD