Inverkeithing High School has been forced to close today (Friday, September 29) after a fire in the kitchen late last night.
Firefighters from across Fife were called to the school at 9.21pm with six appliances in attendance at its peak, including a height appliance.
A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the blaze started in the ground floor kitchen and dining room area.
The smoke spread across the ground floor and crews scrambled to contain the flames.
The last firefighters left the scene just before 2am this morning, having used four breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet as part of their efforts to extinguish the fire.
The school was empty at the time and no one was injured.
Parents received an email confirming the school would be closed, as the local authority and partners assess the damage.
Police say there is no suspicious circumstances.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.40pm on Thursday, September 28, police were called to a report of a fire at a school in Hillend Road, Inverkeithing.
“Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished.
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Head of education and children’s services Shelagh McLean said: “Thankfully no one was in the building at the time, and no one was hurt. The fire service and the school’s janitorial team were on the scene very quickly after the alarm was raised. The fire has affected the kitchen and dining area of the school on the ground floor of A Block. Our understanding is the fire was caused by an electrical appliance.
“A water pipe has burst because of the heat, and we took the decision last night to close the school to staff and pupils today while we carry out a full assessment of the damage.
“Our intention is to open the school to all pupils on Monday and we will be in touch with parents to give them more details on how the school will operate without access to A Block.
"The fire also affected electrical supply to Treetops Nursery which is closed today until power can be restored.”
Local MSP Annabelle Ewing was scheduled to visit the school today.
She said: “I was shocked to hear of the fire last night at Inverkeithing High School. I am relieved that no one was injured, and I thank the firefighters involved in bringing matters under control.
“As it happens, I was scheduled to be visiting with a modern studies class in the school today. Obviously, that is not going ahead but I look forward to sorting out a new date and getting the chance to speak with pupils.
“Concerns about the fabric of the building aside, none of us wants to see prolonged disruption to children’s education and I am sure that Fife Council employees will be working hard over the weekend to get the school ready for pupils to return as soon as possible.”
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