An ‘accidental electrical fault’ in Acland Burghley’s server room means pupils will be doing lessons from home on Tuesday

A TUFNELL Park secondary school will be closed for the day after its internal internet server caught fire overnight.

Pupils at Acland Burghley will be learning remotely for the rest of Tuesday after the London Fire Brigade were called to the school in Burghley Road.

The fire caused the school’s communication systems to go down, meaning that it could not send emails or make phone calls through its own network.

An email from Kim Issroff, chair of governors at the school at the start of the day told students to work from home but be prepared to come in to school later. This was later extended to a complete closure by headteacher Nicholas John in a mid-morning update posted on the school’s website.

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Speaking to the New Journal, Mr John said he was informed of the news at 6am by the school’s site manager.

“There was a small electrical fire in part of the server room,” he said. “Following that an electrician has isolated the floor and the electrics in that part of the school. The electrician and fire brigade have declared it safe.”

He added that the school was waiting for UK Power Networks to visit the school and turn the power back on.

The London Fire Brigade said in a statement that they had been called at 1.48am and had sent three fire engines. About five per cent of the server room on the ground floor had been damaged by an accidental electrical fault, but its investigations continue. Firefighters declared the incident over at 2.45am.

Some students had still turned up to the school site on Tuesday morning after missing messages about the closure. An update on Wednesday’s schooling will be posted on the school’s website by 6pm.

“These things happen don’t they and I’m fortunate that apart from Covid I’ve never had to close the school in the seven years I’ve been here,” said Mr John.

“I’d like to thank the London Fire Brigade, our keyholder and anyone else who acted effectively to make sure the school is safe.”