A HEADTEACHER has praised her staff for the safe evacuation of children and thanked firefighters for saving their primary school after a major fire broke out next door.

More than 200 youngsters from St Joseph’s Primary School in Stanley were ushered to safety when the Elite Buildings blaze broke out in a Chinese takeaway.

Headteacher Jill McBride said that without the dedication and bravery of firefighters, the Victorian school could have been destroyed.

She said: “There is no doubt about it that our school has been saved because of their efforts.

“The firefighters deserve credit for their bravery and the way they have worked.

“We owe them an immense debt of gratitude. They have done an amazing job.”

Parents were informed of the fire by an emergency text message system and asked to collect their children from the church hall where they were offered shelter, along with other residents who were asked to leave their homes for safety reasons.

Ms McBride said: “We do have regular fire drills and in under a minute the children were all out, which is what we aim for. They were all safe.”

“I would like give my thanks to parents and children and the community for their support.”

The school is expected to be closed until Monday at least while a safety assessment and clean up is carried out.

Demolition work on the Edwardian buildings, a former dance and bingo hall, which were destroyed by the fire, is now underway.

It broke out at Wongs Chop Suey House at 1pm on Monday and quickly spread through other businesses, including a former fitness centre and off licence, before taking hold in the rafters.

Thirty-five firefighters worked through the night to keep the fire under control, along with police, structural engineers and gas engineers.

A spokesman for the Northern Gas Network said the fire was not gas related and that the supply to the building would be switched off once the building was demolished.

Other properties in the area should not be affected.

The incident was declared a major incident by Durham Police and the response has been praised by Chief Constable Mike Barton and Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg.

Mr Barton said: “This is the type of community spirit County Durham is famous for. I really appreciate all of the community support over the last few days and thankfully no lives were lost.”

Traders in the area kept emergency service staff, working round-the-clock to keep the town open for business, supplied with food and hot drinks.

Firefighters and one fire engine have remained on the site in Stanley, despite a strike taking place between 10am and 2pm today (Wednesday, November 13).

Steve Wharton, operations delivery manager for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We currently have one fire appliance at the site to monitor the demolition of certain sections of the building and ensure that the fire doesn’t flare up again.”