School partially collapses as fire ravages building

A DRAIN cover was blown 30ft into the air as gas from a school fire leaked into surrounding sewers.

More than 35 officers from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue tackled the blaze at St Mary’s Primary School in Raploch Street, Larkhall, from around 2.30am today.

Crews from Motherwell, Hamilton and Bellshill fought the fire for five hours before it was extinguished.

A spokesman for the service said parts of the school collapsed, but a section with listed status was saved.

Gas leaking from the school escaped into nearby drains, causing an explosion.

Officers remain at the scene, dampening down the building. The council’s building control department has been informed.

Police and fire services will begin an investigation into the cause of the fire today.