Fire Incident Injures Students at Odisha School: Government Takes Action
Fire Accident in Odisha School
On Monday, January 5, 2026, four primary school students in the Rayagada district of Odisha suffered injuries due to a fire caused by flammable materials they accidentally ignited. This incident occurred at an upgraded high school located in the village of Paikadakuluda, under the jurisdiction of the Muniguda police station. According to the officer in charge, Saudamini Behera, the students discovered a container of thinner inside a school building, poured it on the roof, and ignited it with a matchstick. The fire quickly escalated, especially after more thinner was added by mistake.
Government Response to the Incident
Following the incident where four students were burned, the Odisha government has suspended the salaries of five teachers and issued show-cause notices to other staff members at the school. The state's School and Mass Education Minister, Nityananda Gond, informed a news agency that he has instructed the education department's secretary to prepare a detailed report on the incident and has ordered an internal investigation.
Details of the Fire
During school hours on Monday, some children were playing near the fire, which led to the injuries of the students. The minister stated that if negligence is proven, appropriate action will be taken against the teachers or staff involved. N. Tirumala Naik, the secretary of the School and Mass Education department, mentioned that three students are receiving treatment at a hospital in Rayagada, while one severely burned student has been transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Police Investigation
The principal of the school filed a complaint at the Muniguda police station on Monday. Authorities reported that police have recorded statements from the injured students. Inspector Saudamini Behera stated that around 2 PM on Monday, the students were playing on the school roof when they found a bottle of thinner. It was reported that the students allegedly poured the thinner on the floor and ignited it with a matchstick, and later one boy added more thinner, causing the fire to flare up rapidly, resulting in the injuries of four students.