Flood-hit school closed for extra week

A Wednesbury school that was flooded by half a million litres of water will be shut all next week, giving children an extra five days off, it was revealed today.

Pupils at Old Park Primary School will be on a forced holiday after the boiler room flooded. A total of 480 youngsters attend the Old Park Road school.

Sandwell Council spokeswoman Pat Evans said: "The school will be closed all next week.

"Work is going on today dismantling the boilers and assessing the damage to them and the structure of the school.

"Officers are investigating the cause of the flooding and assessing damage to the underground boiler house and what repairs are required."

Firefighters were called to the school at 8pm on Monday. Around 16ft of water submerged the underground room, wrecking three industrial size boilers and the school's central heating system.

Headteacher Liz Adams said contingency plans were being looked into regarding the school closure.

"Just one day would be bad enough," Mrs Adams said today. "But we will have to come up with some contingency plans."

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