Four children wounded by burning painting material in Odisha school

Four primary school students were wounded by burning painting material, which they “accidentally set on fire” in Odisha’s Rayagada district on Monday (January 5, 2026).

The incident occurred at an upgraded high school in Paikadakulduda village under Muniguda police station limits. According to Saudamini Behera, Inspector-in-Charge of Muniguda Police Station, students found thinner which had been stored in a building within the school, poured it on the rooftop floor and ignited it using a matchstick. The fire flared instantly, and when more thinner was inadvertently added, the flames spread rapidly.

“As a result, four students sustained burn injuries. Three of them are out of danger, while one student is undergoing treatment at the Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital,” Ms. Behera said.