The Fire at Odisha School Kitchen Injures Cook During Midday Meal Preparation incident shocked locals on Thursday. The fire broke out in the kitchen of Hatibandha Primary School under the Anandapur block in Keonjhar district. The Fire at Odisha School Kitchen Injures Cook During Midday Meal Preparation situation turned serious within minutes.
Reports say the cook suffered severe burns when flames from the wood-fired stove caught onto her clothes. She was preparing the midday meal when the fire suddenly spread. Luckily, no students were near the spot, which prevented a bigger tragedy.
People at the school rushed to help her. Children even poured water to control the flames before more adults arrived. Locals immediately took the injured cook to Anandapur hospital. She was later shifted to Cuttack for advanced treatment.
Eyewitnesses said the cook, Kali Nani, was unwell but still came to work. Residents urged the government to support her as she is a widow and the mother of a young girl.
Community members also stressed the need for safer cooking facilities in schools to avoid such accidents in the future.
