Scores of firefighters have been tackling a blaze following an explosion at a primary school in Weybridge today. Eight fire engines and more than 40 crew members are currently at the scene where flames and a huge plume of black smoke can be seen rising into the air. The explosion and resulting fire happened on the construction site of a new development at the £12,000-a-year St George's College Junior School, where children's ages range from 3 to 11. Fire alert: Clouds of black smoke billow from a construction site next to a school in Weybridge today following a suspected gas explosion . Plumes of smoke: Scores of firefighters have been tackling a fire in Weybridge following an explosion next to a primary school . Residents living nearby described hearing 'very nasty bangs' followed by a 'really nasty smell'. All of the school's pupils are accounted for, say police. The fire is believed to have broken out on the roof of an 'environmentally friendly' development in the school's grounds which is set to house new classrooms, an assembly hall and an IT suite. Speaking to The Surrey Comet, local Councillor Andrew Davis said: 'There is a plume of black smoke and the firefighters are dousing it now. The school has been evacuated. 'At this stage, there is a lot of smoke in the neighbourhood. I think the new building has a flat roof. The main thing is, I trust, none of the workers were put in danger. 'It is mayhem here – all the roads are blocked. The emergency tape is keeping people quite a long way back.' Dozens of people in the surrounding area watched and took pictures as emergency services arrived to tackle the blaze. Huge clouds of smoke can be seen rising from a building close to a primary school in Weybridge . Emergency respopnse: Eight fire engines and more than 40 crew members are currently at the scene and a plume of black smoke can be seen rising into the air . A Surrey Fire & Rescue Spokesman said: 'We can confirm the exact location of the fire is a construction site on the premises of St Georges School in Thames Street, Weybridge, and everyone at the scene has been accounted for . 'We were called to a fire in Thames Street, Weybridge at 12:37 and have sent eight fire engines, a number of specialist vehicles and around 40 firefighters to the scene. 'At this time it is too early to comment further on the incident but updates will be provided on this site when available. 'Everyone has been evacuated from the building and it is safe. There are no injuries to report.' Headmaster Anthony Hudson said: 'While this has come as a great shock, I am very relieved that not a single person was hurt in any way and I am particularly grateful to my colleagues and the emergency services for dealing with the situation so professionally. 'All the children have returned to class and we very much look forward to seeing them again on Monday morning for business as usual.' Children are safe: All of the pupils at St George's College Junior School have been accounted for . Panic: St George's College Junior School, where children age 3 to 11, was evacuated after the explosion . A spokesman for Surrey Police said: 'Surrey Police was called to St George's Primary School in Thames Street, Weybridge at around 12.40pm today following reports of a fire. 'The emergency services quickly attended the scene but there are no reports of any injuries. 'Officers are providing assistance to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service while the fire is tackled. A cordon is in place and several local roads have been closed. 'Motorists are being advised to avoid the area if possible. All pupils have been accounted for and are being looked after by school staff. 'Due to traffic congestion and road closures parents of pupils at the school are being advised not to attend the location but await further updates.Further updates will follow in due course.' Tamsin Blakeney, who runs Piglets Play Centre in Hersham which is used by a number of St George's Junior School children, was driving her daughter to Weybridge Hospital when she witnessed the beginning of the fire. She told Get Surrey: 'I saw huge plumes of smoke, I have never seen anything like it. Surrey Police are asking drivers to avoid the area while firefighters attempt to put out the blaze . Reaction: A number of people on Twitter have said that the fire was caused by an exploding gas cylinder . 'I didn't see any emergency services at that point but did see children being evacuated and holding hands with adults who looked calm, but there were a few people panicking - it was awful, terrifying. 'The whole area is just covered with a smog. It smells like some kind of cable fire, not a bonfire, but like chemicals - it is just horrible.' A number of other witnesses took to Twitter to describe the dramatic scenes in Surrey today with many expressing concern over the safety of the local school's children. One Twitter user suggested there had been a gas explosion. Miranda Schunke, wrote: 'Weybridge school explosion - gas cylinder exploded after insulation caught fire - unconfirmed.' Work began on the new development, believed to be the building on fire, in July 2014. On the St George's Junior School website it states: 'The new facility has been designed to be very environmentally friendly with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind and will include low energy lighting, extra insulation and materials sourced from sustainable forests'. A statement released by the school today read: 'St George's Weybridge can confirm that a fire took place on the roof of a building under construction at St George's Junior School in Weybridge late this morning (Friday 13 March 2015). A number of witnesses took to Twitter to describe the dramatic scenes in Surrey today with many expressing concern over the safety of the local school's children . Headmaster Anthony Hudson said: 'While this has come as a great shock, I am very relieved that not a single person was hurt' 'The building is in a separate compound under the control of our building contractor and no school personnel or children were in the vicinity. 'Everyone within the School was evacuated quickly, the emergency services are attending and it can be confirmed that there are no injuries to pupils, staff, visitors or building workers. 'The emergency services and School have allowed children back into class this afternoon and school is continuing normally, whilst allowing parents to collect their children early should they so wish. 'The Headmaster, Mr Antony Hudson, took the normal Friday assembly soon afterwards for all the older children. The Chief Fire Officer was able to explain to them that fires like this are extremely rare and that he was very impressed by the manner in which they conducted themselves very safely.'
Reports of explosion followed by plumes of smoke in Weybridge, Surrey . Eight fire engines and more than 40 crew members currently at the scene . Blaze in the premises of £12,000-a-year St George's College Junior School . Building on fire is school's new 'environmentally friendly' development . All children have been accounted for while several roads in area are closed . Headmaster Anthony Hudson has expressed his relief no one was hurt . The cause of the incident not yet confirmed but many are saying a gas cylinder exploded .