The school was damaged
16:37, 12 May 2026Updated 18:12, 12 May 2026
St Nicholas Catholic Primary School(Image: Google )
A fire broke out at a primary school in Exeter and classrooms were evacuated this afternoon (Tuesday, May 12).
Fire crews were called to St Nicholas Catholic Primary School around 2pm after a “small fire” broke out in a display case.
Three fire crews engines were called to the school, and classrooms were evacuated to allow firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
Crews used breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, a safety jet, a thermal imaging camera and small tools to extinguish the fire.
No one is believed to have been injured, and the fire has been extinguished.
The fire caused five per cent damage and 20 per cent smoke damage to the building.
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service: “At around 2pm today, crews were called to a fire at St Nicholas Catholic Primary School, in Exeter. Upon arrival crews confirmed a small fire in one classroom involving a display case.
“A total of 3 appliances attended the incident, with firefighters using breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, a safety jet, a thermal imaging camera and small tools to extinguish the fire.
“There was 5% fire damage and 20% smoke damage to building.”
A spokesperson for St Nicholas Catholic Primary School said: “We can confirm that there was a small, contained fire at St Nicholas RC Primary School today. All pupils, staff and visitors were safely evacuated and everyone is safe and accounted for.
“The safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff is always our absolute priority and so we have worked closely with the Fire Service and relevant authorities to assess the situation and has put contingency arrangements to minimise disruption to pupils’ education.
“We would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response and the school community for their support and cooperation.”
