Hatchman primary school. Pic: Yi Qui

A school in New Cross that was ravaged by fire over four years ago is finally ready to re-open.

Haberdashers’ Aske’s Temple Grove School was greatly damaged by the blaze. The fire was apparently started when a gas cylinder containing propane exploded, destroying the roof and damaging the whole building.

Temple Grove on Hunsdon Street is a feeder school for the main Hatcham College School, part of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation, which is based in two other nearby sites in New Cross.

Principal of Hatcham College, Declan Jones said: “We are incredibly happy that our £7m rebuild is now complete, providing us with a spectacular building that cleverly combines the old and the new and gives a modern and inspiring space for our children and staff to learn”.

Firefighters from all across the South London area arrived at Monson Road to fight the flames, managing to put it out completely by morning.

50 people were reportedly evacuated from their homes as the fire raged, but fortunately no children were present at the time of the explosion.

Whilst the school was being rebuilt lessons took place at the Mornington Centre on Stanley Street.