It all happened within minutes. With a fire in the school laboratory, a few students fainted out of shock and a few out of asphyxiation. Frightened children were running around screaming. With the smoke engulfing the laboratory, there was chaos in the entire school building.
However, there was timely help on the card. A few senior students and teachers rescued the children and soon the classroom was evacuated with fire brigade personnel wearing safety gears and fire resistant outfits also joining them in the rescue mission.
The ‘injured’ were given prompt first aid and some were ‘shifted’ to the hospital in ambulance. The timely help by the senior students and teachers was appreciated through loud cheering and clapping by other students.
All this was part of a drill conducted by students and teachers of M.R. Sakhare English Medium School near Unakal Cross in Hubballi during the All India Fire Evacuation Day.
Chief Fire Officer F.H. Kurkundi said that whenever there was a fire mishap, the place should be evacuated immediately and the fire brigade should be alerted by calling helpline number 101 or the Hubballi control room on 0836-2322555.
