Kitchen fire at Manesar school prompts evacuation of 150 students

Smoke from a kitchen-area fire sent about 150 students out of Kautilya Academy near the NCG campus in Manesar on Wednesday morning. No injuries were reported.

School staff spotted smoke near a staircase connecting the ground and first floors and moved students out of the building. Two buses at the school gate were also evacuated. Non-teaching staff broke classroom window panes to prevent smoke from building up, while the school’s electrician cut the main power supply.

Fire officials received the call at 7.55am and sent three fire tenders. One vehicle reached the school within about 15 minutes after taking a diverted route; two others were delayed in traffic. The fire was fully doused after another 15 to 20 minutes of firefighting.

School officials said electrical repair work was under way and suspected an electrical short-circuit in the kitchen area caused the fire. The school, which has about 650 students, will remain closed until inspections and safety measures are completed.