STAFF at Withins Lower School were praised by firefighters for tackling a blaze in a toilet block.

All 1100 pupils at the school on Newby Road, Bolton, were evacuated when a toilet roll dispenser was discovered alight yesterday (Thurs).

Staff managed to extinguish the small fire using a sand bucket before firefighters from Bolton North fire station arrived at the scene.

Their quick actions helped contain the fire

to the toilet cubicle.

Sub officer Ian Medcalf praised teachers and described their actions as exemplary.

Head teacher Mrs Judith Richardson said the school and the police would investigate the cause of the fire, which was discovered by two pupils.

She also praised her colleagues for their swift actions and added that the cubicle would be back in action today after a clean-up.

Withins School was damaged by a fire almost twelve months ago.

Mrs Richardson said that pupils and staff were more fire conscious following in the incident.

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