A Cambridgeshire school has issued a desperate plea for donations after a devastating fire that caused significant damage to its interior. 

Emergency services were called to Fen Drayton Primary School on August 13 after a section of its roof caught fire. 

More than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze while an ambulance and three Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles were dispatched to treat a man for "serious burns".

An investigation launched by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has since concluded the cause of the fire was accidental.

Headteacher Nina McQueen told The Hunts Post that while the fire had caused damage to one section of the roof, smoke and water had damaged a "larger section" of the school. 

She said: "It was a very upsetting experience to see the damage to our school. As a small village school, it has a homely, family feel which is one of the reasons parents choose us, so it was hard to see what had happened. 

"All books, soft furnishings and IT equipment has been damaged by smoke or water. One classroom and its contents, as well as my office and the main corridor are also unsafe to use. 

"Other rooms have varying amounts of smoke and water damage." 

A GoFundMe page launched by Ms McQueen last week has already received more than £1,700 in donations, less than £300 away from its fundraising target of £2,000. 

The money raised will be spent on replacing a number of resources lost in the fire, which Ms McQueen said will not be covered by the school's insurance provider. 

She added: "Our initial target was £2000 but we nearly raised that within 48 hours of our GoFundMe going live.

"The money will help to replace the many resources we've lost. As with all insurance policies there is an excess that won't cover everything that has been damaged."

Ms McQueen thanked parents and staff for "pulling together" to prepare for the return of pupils. 

The school, which was undergoing building work at the time of the blaze, will remain closed until September 27 while essential repairs are carried out. 

Pupils and staff will be housed in mobile units on the school field while the school building is made safe. 

She said: "We have a great team of staff at Fen Drayton and everyone has pulled together to prepare for the children's return.

"We have amazingly supportive parents who have reached out to us to offer help and support and appreciate how difficult this is for us all.

"The wider community and other Cambridgeshire schools have also reached out to offer support and donations."

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “The condition of the school buildings following the fire means that the school cannot open, as we had hoped, for the start of term.

“The county council is working closely and as a matter of urgency with the headteacher and other agencies to find a suitable solution that keeps disruption for children to a minimum. Parents are being kept fully informed by the school."