Firefighters and police were at the San Fernando Central Secondary School earlier than usual today, after an electrical fire broke out in a Form Five classroom on Wednesday morning.
A source at the school said that shortly after 10 am, a loud explosion was heard and an air conditioning unit started to smoke. The fire was quickly contained. Unconfirmed reports from parents were that similar electrical malfunctions occurred in the library and the principal's office.
Speaking to Guardian Media, a parent who requested anonymity said after the air conditioning unit blew, the staff and safety officers quickly evacuated everyone to the muster point.
"They told us to line up on the field, get our bags and line up. I called my mommy and granny, aunty and cousin," one student said.
T&TEC and fire officers arrived promptly and made checks in every part of the school.
After the school was given clearance, the students were dismissed.
However, some parents were displeased saying all the students should have been kept at the muster point until their parents arrived to collect them.
"The children are all over as they wait for their parents. This is not right. The children should not be sent out of the school," the parent said.
Brenton Rambally, another parent said he came to pick up his two children from Forms Four and Five.
Parent Rakesh Goolcharan said he was happy with the way the matter was handled.
He said: "The school took all the precautions and evacuated the students and kept them at the muster point until it was clear for them to be dismissed," Goolcharan said.
Several other parents said they were not officially informed by the school about what happened but they were thankful that all students were accounted for and were safe.
Contacted for comment, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said nothing major was damaged. She said: "The issue was contained very quickly and effectively."
