DEBRIS from demolished buildings at the Harbour Island All Age School caught fire on Friday, prompting a frantic effort from the community to stabilise the blaze and prevent it from spreading throughout the school.

Stephen Wilson, the Family Island administrator for the North Eleuthera District, said some buildings at the school were demolished on Friday, and workers had worked to remove the debris.

Residents are uncertain whether the fire was started accidentally but believe it began under the rubble.

“There were makeshift water hoses coming from a water tanker and the fire truck,” Mr Wilson said.

“People were using their gulf carts with buckets and containers with water to help fill the tanker. Water hoses were used by neighbours nearby. We were lifting the buckets. The children in all that smoke were helping to secure their school. The ladies brought bottled water and masks for the volunteers."

He continued: "It was incredible to see how the people came together to save their school. Our second homeowners were also there, fighting the blaze.”