The site has also been left without electricity following the incident
16:02, 15 Jan 2026
A Basildon school has been closed for two days after firefighters tackled a fire. Fire crews were called to Fairhouse Community Primary School in Basildon yesterday (January 14) to reports of a blaze.
It was discovered that a small fire had occurred in an electrical cupboard within the school. While the blaze was put out within 2 hours, the school has remained closed.
Essex County Council's school closures page says that the whole site is without electricity as a result. There is also fire and smoke damage within the school that needs repairing.
It reads: "We have had a fire. The site is without electricity, and we need to repair fire and smoke damage. We have organised remote learning and have face-to-face teaching available for some pupils at another school in our trust."
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to a fire in a school in Long Riding, Basildon at 9.56am yesterday [January 14].
“On arrival, crews reported there was a small fire in an electrical cupboard. Crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the building by 11.16am.”