Fire breaks out at east London school in 90mph winds

Around 70 firefighters are tackling a blaze at a school in east London as Storm Darragh rages on.

The fire service was called to the school in Downs Park Road in Hackney Downs at 9.08am today and ten fire engines are at the scene.

A small part of the second floor is alight, according to the London Fire Brigade.

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The brigade’s website said it was using 32-metre turntable ladders as ‘water towers’ to get at the fire from above.

It comes amid winds of more than 90mph in the capital today, making efforts particularly hazardous.

The brigade said: ‘Control Officers took the first of nine calls regarding the fire at 09.08 and mobilised crews from Homerton, Stoke Newington, Tottenham and surrounding fire stations are attending the scene.’

Storm Darragh has caused havoc across the country, especially in Wales and the south west, with millions of people sent ‘stay indoors’ alerts on their phones.

The Met Office issued a rare ‘danger to life’ red warning for the early hours of this morning, and tens of thousands of homes are without power.

Several trains have also been cancelled, bridges closed and events called off.

In London many parks have been closed, as well as Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

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