Dagenham fire breaks out at primary school as 80 firefighters tackle inferno day before term starts
David Wilson
Updated on March 16, 2026
DOZENS of firefighters have tackled a huge inferno at a primary school the day before pupils are due to return after the school holidays.
London Fire Brigade received a call at 4.50am today and 12 fire engines rushed to Roding Primary School in Dagenham.
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The fire service said half of the single-storey building was alight and 80 firefighters from more than three local stations desperately battled the blaze.
Children aged between five and 11 were due to return to the school - one of the largest in the UK - on Wednesday.
Station Manager, Rod Wainwright, said: "Flames could be seen from some distance away and crews were faced with a serious blaze when they arrived on the scene.
"They worked very hard to bring the fire under control but given the intensity of the fire, there is unfortunately significant damage to the school.
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“It is unfortunate timing that this fire has occurred just before the start of term.
“It is too soon to speculate on the cause of the fire but as soon as they’re able to, fire investigators will enter the site to start their work.”
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to a fire at a primary school on Hewett Road in Dagenham this morning.
"There are no reports of injuries. A large part of the single storey building has been damaged by fire.
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"During the fire, firefighters removed a gas cylinder and cooled it down as cylinders can explode when exposed to heat.
"The Brigade was called at 4.50am and fire crews from Dagenham, Barking, Ilford and surrounding fire stations attended the incident.
"The fire was under control by 7.49am but firefighters remain at the scene to fully extinguish remaining pockets of fire.
"At 9am there remain eight fire engines on site and it is likely that firefighters will be there for the rest of the day. The cause of the fire is not known at this stage."
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According to its website, Roding is one of the biggest primary schools in the country.
An announcement on its calendar revealed that pupils were due to return to the school on September 5.
The school was named after the River Roding which flows through Barking and into the Thames.
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