Chennai: Students and teachers from a private school in Mannivakkam were evacuated after a major fire broke out in the empty grassland adjacent to the institution.
Sources said the grass in the 15 acres private land caught fire and spread to the nearby trees rapidly due to heavy winds. Following this the entire area was engulfed in smoke.
“Students and teachers from the school were immediately evacuated and the Tambaram fire station was informed, following which two fire tenders arrived at the spot. Parents of the students were informed to take their children back to home,” sources added.
It took close to two hours for the tenders to douse the fire. It is said trees and grass in and around the area were damaged in the incident.
Since there was a transformer near the spot of fire, the EB office was also informed and power supply was cut in the area till the fire was put off.
A case has been filed at the Otteri police station and investigation is being carried on.