Pendleton College fire: Salford school evacuated after major blaze breaks out in classroom

'The room has gone': Students evacuated during exams after major blaze breaks out

A major fire breaks out at Pendleton College in Salford (Lydia Cardwell)

A school in Salford has been evacuated after a large fire broke out in a second-floor classroom.

Five fire engines attended the scene at Pendleton College, where the blaze appears to have begun in a photography block.

Lydia Cardwell, a student at the college, told The Independent she was in the middle of an exam when the alarm was sounded.

"I've been told the room has gone," she said. "We were sat in an exam, then the fire alarm went off and we were evacuated straight away."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said it was called shortly after 10am.

"An emergency call was made to report the fire resulting in five fire engines being sent to Dronfield Road," a spokesperson said.

"Crew wearing breathing apparatus are tackling the fire using hose reels."

Student waiting outside uploaded photos and videos of the blaze, which firefighters appear to have brought under control. The school says all students have been accounted for.

But Ms Cardwell expressed concern for the fact the photography studio, housing all the students' work from over the course of the year, appeared to have been completely destroyed.

"All our graphics and photography coursework was in there," she said. "It would be a big setback [if it is gone]... we would lose all our coursework which is what our final grade is based on."

Asked if it was a scary experience, Ms Cardwell said the fire was "quite close", as can be seen in pictures taken by the students. They "didn't have a clue what was going on", Ms Cardwell said.

She added that students had been told they would have to return to the exam hall to finish their tests.