500 girls rescued as fire destroys high school in Haripur

As many as 500 students were rescued when a massive fire swept through a girls high school in Haripur on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The blaze erupted suddenly and spread through the whole school, destroying it completely in Srikot area of Tehsil Ghazi in Haripur District.

Local residents rushed to the school and rescued teachers and 500 girls trapped in the classrooms on their own.

The furniture and other equipment in the school along with office documents were also reduced to ashes by the fire.

Fire engines from Haripur were rushed to the affected school.

Following District Emergency Officer Tanveer Ahmad’s directive, Rescue 1122 fire-fighting team succeeded in dousing the fire after hours-long effort.

KP Elementary and Secondary School Education Director Samina Altaf said the fire erupted in school’s old building; however all girls have been evacuated safely.

She said the fire started due to short-circuit and it spread quickly as the classroom ceilings were made of wood.

Samina Altaf said the school has been shut down for three days.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also took notice of the school fire and directed the district administration to investigate the incident and submit a report.

Meanwhile, two people died and five others received severe burn injured when a fire swept their house in Dera Ismail Khan on Monday.

Two children breathed their last when their house located in Imamia Colony was damaged in the severe fire.

Reporters Malik Shahid Tabassum and Sajid Baloch