Burned-out school will be rebuilt by Christmas
John Phillips AN infant school destroyed in a five-hour blaze is to be rebuilt by Christmas, education chiefs revealed yesterday (Wednesday). Cambell Infant School, Langley Crescent, Dagenham, was wrecked in the accidental blaze as flames engulfed the ground floor caus
John Phillips
AN infant school destroyed in a five-hour blaze is to be rebuilt by Christmas, education chiefs revealed yesterday (Wednesday).
Cambell Infant School, Langley Crescent, Dagenham, was wrecked in the accidental blaze as flames engulfed the ground floor causing the roof to collapse on Thursday morning.
Teachers and parents were left in tears as their 1930s school burned down following a suspected electrical fault at 6.l5am.
All 280 pupils are now studying in the adjacent junior school in Langley Crescent as council chiefs unveil an ambitious 10-month rebuilding programme.
Only the 80 or so nursery children have been left out of the loop owing to lack of space, but it is hoped they will be taught at Cambell Junior next month.
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Barking and Dagenham Council is hoping to bring fire damaged areas back into use within the next three to four weeks.
Pupils have been forced to bring in packed lunches, the dining hall being used for classes, but a dedicated lunch area is to open in mid-March.
A council spokesman said: "The more extensive work to replace further damaged timbers and roof covering and to carry out redecoration and any internal refurbishments to the remainder of the infants' building will be progressed, but this is likely to take through until Christmas.
