Video shows the moment Northfield Academy was rocked by a major explosion as fire crews rushed to the scene

This is the moment residents in the north of Aberdeen felt their homes shake as Northfield Academy was rocked by a major explosion.

Thick black smoke was seen billowing across the city after flames broke out at the school around 1.45pm.

The video shows locals watching the fire from the street as the explosion happens.

It is understood workers were carrying out felt repairs on the roof when the drama unfolded at about 1.45pm.

Five fire crews were called to the school, and used a height appliance to douse the flames from above. It was extinguished by 3.15pm.

The building was evacuated and all pupils were sent home for the day. Nobody was injured.

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman confirmed the school will be closed tomorrow.

A statement said: “Northfield Academy was today evacuated after a fire broke out. Thankfully there were no casualties and we thank Scottish Fire and Rescue and Police Scotland crews for their help and assistance.

“The school building will be closed tomorrow to assess fire and water damage and a decision will be made then for the rest of the week. Alternate provision has been made for pupils’ education tomorrow.”

Northfield Academy in Aberdeen. Jesus, hope everyone is OK. They’ve only just gone back part time too. Fire is behaving like it’s gas borne from video footage, reports of a big explosion. We can see the plume and we’re 20 miles away. pic.twitter.com/IM2wXj3E5i

— Graham Bell (@PorkSoda0112358) March 22, 2021

Eyewitness accounts

The man who filmed the explosion, who lives nearby and asked not to be named, said: “The smoke was right up over my house.

“I saw flames at the side of gas bottles on the roof and then there was a big explosion, it was really loud.

“After that there were heaps of people out in the street trying to see what had happened and it was about 15 minutes before that turned into seeing the emergency services everywhere.”

Caroline Stewart, who lives across the road from the school said she was terrified to see the flames “shooting” into the sky.

She said: “Looking from my window I could see the smoke from the school, then the teachers and kids coming out – everyone was running.

“Flames were shooting into the sky really high and then next thing there was a huge explosion.

“The fire brigade came and police were also running over to nearby houses telling people to get away from their windows.

“It was scary, I was shaking. I’ve never been so scared, it was frightening.”

When we heard the bang we could feel it too, it almost felt like the house shook a little.

Guy Ingerson

Guy Ingerson, who lives a street away, said he heard an “almighty bang” and went out to investigate.

“We went outside and just saw a massive column of smoke,” he said.

“When we heard the bang we could feel it too, it almost felt like the house shook a little.

“It’s quite dramatic.”

Just heard an explosion near or at Northfield Academy. Really worried about the people there. pic.twitter.com/NSNfYq03XZ

— Guy Ingerson (@guy_ingerson) March 22, 2021

Mr Ingerson, who is standing as a Greens candidate in the upcoming Holyrood elections, said the fire crews were at the scene within five or 10 minutes and quickly took charge of the scene.

“I’m just hoping that everyone is OK,” he said. “When I went up to have a closer look, there were workers on the roof with high-vis jackets on.”

Kerry Morrice was thankful her niece, who attends Northfield Academy, said she had helped to comfort one very upset young teenager as she left the school.

The 38-year-old said: “My niece thankfully wasn’t in school today but could have been.

“However, I did speak with a pupil who was crying outside the school, she was in panic mode and in fear.

“It was horrible to see.”

‘Thank you to the emergency services’