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Major emergency response as fire spreads through Otley school building

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A significant fire and rescue operation is underway at Otley Primary School, where flames have spread from toilets to the roof of the building.

Why it matters: The fire has prompted a large emergency response, with seven fire engines currently at the scene.

The latest: Fire crews are battling to contain the blaze, which started in a ground-floor toilet at 15:37 on Monday.

Details:

  • Fire crews from Ipswich East, Princes Street, Woodbridge and Framlingham are at the scene

  • The fire has spread to the roof of the single-storey building, which is roughly 25m x 25m

  • Firefighters are using two hose reel jets and a larger covering jet

  • An aerial turntable ladder is also being deployed

The good news: No casualties have been reported.

What's next: Police and fire services are asking the public to avoid the Chapel Road area while firefighting efforts continue.

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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DanceEast

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

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