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| Cylinder worry after school fire | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| People living near a school which caught fire are being warned they could be in danger after fears were raised over a gas cylinder on the site. | |
| The fire at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School at Tondu, Bridgend started at around 0300 BST in an arts block. | The fire at Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School at Tondu, Bridgend started at around 0300 BST in an arts block. |
| It has since been put out but police are warning people living in around 80 homes of the hazard of the gas cylinder. | |
| Nearby Ynysawdre Comprehensive is closed as are roads around the area. | Nearby Ynysawdre Comprehensive is closed as are roads around the area. |
| Acting headteacher, The Rev Dr Philip Manghan, said: "My main concern was for the safety of the children. | |
| "I'm grateful to the fire service because the managed to contain the fire to the design and technology block. It could have spread a lot further." | |
| There's a lot of damage to the design and technology block - it is ruined The Rev Dr Philip Manghan | |
| But he said the design and technology block, which has three classrooms, was "completely destroyed". | |
| "There's a lot of damage to the design and technology block - it is ruined," he said. | |
| "In the short term I hope local schools will be part of the solution (to help pupils get back to lessons)." | |
| The head said staff will be given a briefing at the school later, and industrial cleaners will also be called in to clear up. | |
| "We may be able to bring the children in on Friday," he added. | |
| Archbishop McGrath is the main Catholic secondary school for the Bridgend area, drawing 700 pupils from as far a Porthcawl and Maesteg. | |
| A 200m (218yds) cordon remains in place around the site, and the A4065 Bryn Road is closed in both directions. | |
| Intense fire | |
| Eye witnesses say the arts block where the fire began remains standing, but is badly charred by flames. | Eye witnesses say the arts block where the fire began remains standing, but is badly charred by flames. |
| Speaking from the scene, BBC Radio Wales reporter Kayley Thomas said: "You can smell there has been a fire, and there is the odd wisp of smoke just rising from the building, which is cooling down. | Speaking from the scene, BBC Radio Wales reporter Kayley Thomas said: "You can smell there has been a fire, and there is the odd wisp of smoke just rising from the building, which is cooling down. |
| "The fire officer in charge has actually taken me over to the building to show me what damage has been done. | "The fire officer in charge has actually taken me over to the building to show me what damage has been done. |
| "The building is still standing but you can see that it has been heavily charred inside that building." | "The building is still standing but you can see that it has been heavily charred inside that building." |
| Ian Greenman, from South Wales Fire Service, said it had been an intense fire that had spread quickly through the roof of the art block | |
| At the height of the fire around 40 firefighters were at the scene, with crews attending from Bridgend, Pencoed, Ponycymmer, Maesteg and Ogmore Vale. | At the height of the fire around 40 firefighters were at the scene, with crews attending from Bridgend, Pencoed, Ponycymmer, Maesteg and Ogmore Vale. |
| Water bowsers from Barry and Pontypridd were also called in, along with a hydraulic platform from Cardiff and a breathing support unit from Tonypandy. | Water bowsers from Barry and Pontypridd were also called in, along with a hydraulic platform from Cardiff and a breathing support unit from Tonypandy. |
| The fire service says the operation is now being scaled down, with three fire engines remaining on site. | |
| The acetylene cylinder causing concern for the fire officers is also being cooled, after which a fire investigation will get underway. | |
| Im devastated to hear whats happend, i attend archbishop MG 6th form, All of my art course work and my exam peice was still in the building, all hard work and now nothing to show for it!!! Plus, didnt just the lazer cut on its own cost £10,000 ?Daisy, Sarn, Bridgend, South Wales | |
| When they told us our school was on fire i was shocked, if they dont rebuild it we will have to move schools!Alex, Bridgend, South wales | When they told us our school was on fire i was shocked, if they dont rebuild it we will have to move schools!Alex, Bridgend, South wales |
| Do you live nearby the school which caught fire? What did you see? Were you asked to leave your home this morning? Do you have any pictures of the fire or the scene? | Do you live nearby the school which caught fire? What did you see? Were you asked to leave your home this morning? Do you have any pictures of the fire or the scene? |
| Let us know using the form below. | Let us know using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |