Exploding fire extinguisher kills teen and injures five pupils during school drill

The 17-year-old student was among classmates taking part in a drill at the Rajavinit Mathayom School when the carbon dioxide canister blew up during a fire extinguishing exercise at around 11am

A teenager was killed after an extinguisher exploded during a fire drill at school.

The 17-year-old student was among classmates taking part in a fire drill at the Rajavinit Mathayom School when the carbon dioxide canister blew up during a fire extinguishing exercise at around 11am.

The blast killed the boy and injured at least five other pupils, local media reported.

Officials in Bangkok said they were investigating who organised the fire drill and what caused the explosion.

The local rescue team believes a 'technical difficulty' occurred as participants were using the fire extinguisher, causing its pressure to become unregulated and rise, leading to the explosion.

The canister was also old and had prolonged exposure to sunlight prior to the drill, they said.

It was reportedly being displayed in bright sunshine near students during the demonstration in Bangkok when it exploded and sent metal scraps into the chest of the boy who died, said city police chief Thiti Saengsawang.

At least three people could face charges of death by negligence, Mr Thiti said, but he did not identify them.

The school has closed its gates as forensics officers collected evidence from the scene. Police said investigations are ongoing.

Education minister Treenuch Thienthong said it was the first time in six years that the school had held a fire drill, and that it was co-ordinated by Bangkok’s fire department.

She said the department had not experienced such an accident before during the many drills it has conducted at schools.

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