STAFF at Swindon College are coping with the aftermath of a fire which broke out in the middle of the night.

Fire crews were called to the Pegasus tower in the college’s North Star campus late on Tuesday after reports of a blaze on the fifth floor of the six-storey building.

No one was hurt in the fire, which is believed to have started accidentally, but equipment and furnishings in a beauty training salon were destroyed.

Amanda Burnside, the college’s director of marketing and services to students, said business would continue as usual in the college’s other salons.

“The building was empty at the time and the fire was promptly dealt with,” she said.

“The college has five other beauty salons so it is very much business as usual and no customers, students or staff will be adversely affected.

“The salon will be refurbished immediately.”

Windows, towels, beds, light fittings, chairs and a projector were all damaged during the blaze, and the college does not yet know how much they will cost to replace.

Fire investigators have been investigating the cause of the fire.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: “Investigations are continuing into a fire at Swindon College’s North Star building on Tuesday night.

“Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the site shortly after 11.10pm, and found a well developed fire in a fifth floor classroom, used as a beauty therapy training area.

“It is believed the fire started accidentally.”

Two fire crews from Swindon, one from Stratton and one from Westlea attended.