Aerial view of a large fire at a former school in Haverhill, Suffolk, with red flames and thick black smoke rising above the surrounding residential area and emergency vehicles.A fire at the former site of a school in Haverhill, Suffolk. / Footage shows a blaze engulfing the former site of a school in Haverhill, Suffolk as an extensive emergency attempts to put it out. Suffolk Fire and Rescue service received over 60 calls about the fire from 20.20 on Tuesday 12 May with smoke visible from miles away. Firefighters were at the scene through the night, with around 70 firefighters from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire tackling the flames at its peak. It was reported that the building had partially collapsed by 22.13 with 90% enveloped in the flames. Photo released 13/05/2026 Credit: SWNS

A HUGE fire has ripped through a school in a market town causing the building to collapse.

Around 70 firefighters from and Cambridgeshire were at the scene battling the blaze at Parkway Middle School, Haverhill, at its peak.

Aerial view of a large fire with dark smoke billowing into the sky over a town in Haverhill, Suffolk.Around 70 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze through the night Credit: SWNS A large building engulfed in flames at night, with bright orange fire and smoke rising into the dark sky, and fire trucks and personnel visible on the right.Residents were urged to keep all their windows and doors shut Credit: SWNS

Fire crews were battling through the night as the blaze saw part of the former school building collapse.

Footage captured of the inferno saw bright orange flames engulfing the school building, with thick black smoke billowing into the air.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service received over 60 calls about the fire from 8:20pm on May 12, 2026, with the smoke visible from miles away.

One eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the scene was “dark and scary” and there was a lot of smoke surrounding the area.

During the night, residents were asked to keep all windows and doors shut and told not to travel to the area unless it is essential.

The incident began to scale down around 1:30am, with fire crews saying they will be present in the area for much of the day.

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Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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