FIREFIGHTERS rushed to a "serious fire" at a junior school.

The service was called 7.20pm last night to flames at Stafford Junior School in Ringwood Road, Eastbourne. 

At about 9pm, headteacher Kyra Siddall-Ward wrote to parents as fire crews from across East Sussex attempted to get the blaze under control. 

She said: "We are obviously devastated about the damage to our beautiful school. 

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"Staff members are currently in attendance with fire and police officers and I will give you as much information as I can as soon as possible. 

"However, the school will be closed tomorrow.

"Please be aware there will be further updates about the implications for your children as soon as I am in a position to provide them."

The Argus:

Stafford Junior School in Ringwood Road, Eastbourne

Firefighters from Seaford, Hailsham, Heathfield, Bexhill, Bohemia Road, Newhaven and Eastbourne were in attendance. 

The Crews used eight breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets and one main jet to extinguish the fire. 

Sussex Police were at the scene and Ringwood Road has now been closed for the "foreseeable future".

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The service issued an update at 9.57pm to say their crews were making "good progress" with the fire and the building was being ventilated.

At 10.53pm, a spokeswoman added: "The fire has now been scaled down to one appliance and crew who will remain on scene to carry out dampening down and inspection of the scene. 

"Sussex Police will remain on scene overnight."