Forest fire near Sanawar school triggers panic

Panic gripped Lawrence school, Sanawar near Kasauli, on Monday as fire raging in adjoining forests advanced towards the school and students ran helter skelter with columns of smoke descending on the school complex.

The fire was brought under control and no damage was caused to the 169-year-old residential school and the situation was normal, said R Chauhan, a senior teacher of the school.

There was no cause for panic and all the students are safe, he added. Fire tenders were rushed to the forests which fought the flames for nearly two hours and brought them under control.

The forest officials said that it was a ground fire caused by burning of dry pine needles and it is common during the summer and a number of fire incidents have occurred in forests in Kasauli and surrounding areas.