A PRIMARY school could have been destroyed when its roof caught fire, firefighters said.

Residents called the fire brigade out to St Joseph’s Catholic Combined School in Rossmore, Poole, when they saw flames licking the roof and administrative staff working inside were quickly informed so they could escape.

A total of four fire engines, including the aerial ladder platform, were called out to extinguish the blaze late yesterday afternoon in Sancreed Road.

And David Colclough, crew manager from Westbourne , said the school could have been destroyed.

“It was lucky that it was this time of day and someone saw it.

“If it had been later starting up we probably would’ve lost the school.”

The fire started on the roof above the offices and music room, where roofers have been carrying out repairs during the school holidays .

Mr Colclough added: “The edge of the building was quite well alight and from that we couldn’t see whether it was inside or outside.

“But we saw the scaffolding so there was a chance it could’ve got in.

“It’s turned into a labour intensive job because they’ve put the new roof on top of an old roof and therefore it’s extra work for us to get down to the timbers to make sure it’s okay.”

Mr Colclough said it is believed the fire was started by “careless use of hot processing where they are using a gas bottle and a blow torch on glue or felt”.

“But there will be a further investigation,” he added.

Judith Perring, deputy head teacher, was called out by the staff working there during the holidays.

She thanked neighbours for calling 999 and the firefighters for their swift response.

She said: “It’s upsetting and I got here as soon as possible.

“I was relieved that the fire had not spread.”

A resident who lives nearby got home to see the firefighters from Westbourne, Redhill and Poole.

“They’ve been repairing the roof for the past two weeks so it’s disappointing,” he said.

Ryan Ambler, a self employed electrician, has been working in a different part of the school and had arrived to pick up some equipment when he saw the firefighters.

“I could see the smoke when I got here,” he said.