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An Edinburgh primary school will be closed for the rest of the week after a fire broke out minutes after pupils left the building.

The blaze started in a ground floor classroom in Liberton Primary School, on Gilmerton Road, just after 15:30.

Nine appliances responded to the fire, which is understood to have spread to six classrooms.

Edinburgh City Council confirmed contingency arrangements for the school would be issued to parents next week.

The fire was reported after classes had finished for the day but any remaining staff and pupils were evacuated safely with no reported injuries.

Parents have been informed that the school will be closed on Thursday and Friday ahead of next week's half-term break.

Further updates for the return of pupils on Monday 17 February will issued next week.

Education convener Ian Perry said: "The decision to close the school has not been taken lightly however unfortunately this has been a major fire which has caused significant damage to a large part of the school.

"There have been no reported injuries and I want to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Council teams for their swift response. We'll update parents next week regarding contingency arrangements.

"We will work closely with the fire service to determine the cause of the fire."