Learners at a North West school were evacuated when a fire broke out on Friday (8/9).

Grade 8 and 10 learners of the Gatelapela Secondary School in Wolmaransstad survived the fire that destroyed one of the mobile classes. One of the three mobile classes, which were not used, caught fire and it's unclear what led to the fire. 

Department of Education spokesperson Mphata Molokwane said the whole school was disrupted, except for the grade 12 classes, who were writing mathematics and maths literacy.

Five grade 8 classes and one grade 10 class were evacuated. Photo supplied

"The fire incident took place at around 10:35 – ten minutes before the break. The smoke was seen from the back of the grade 8 classes where there are three old and dilapidated, unused mobile classes. The middle one caught fire. We truly appreciate the efforts of the staff that ran to the burning mobile class with fire extinguishers to quell the fire but it was piping hot."

The fire department arrived after 15 minutes.

"They were able to stop the fire but they could not save the mobile class that first caught fire. The heat of the mobile class caused the side of the third mobile class to bend inwards but it did not catch fire. Fortunately, there are no casualties as five grade 8 classes and one grade 10 class were evacuated."  

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