On Wednesday morning, October 18, a fire broke out at the Colégio Estadual Farroupilha in Serra do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Approximately 120 students were hurriedly evacuated from the school auditorium after smoke began to fill the area, causing alarm among the attendees. The school's director, Elezita Ferrari, reported that the students noticed a suffocating feeling and activated fans as the smoke became more pronounced.

Emergency protocols were immediately followed, with staff cutting off the electrical supply and calling the fire department, who later determined that the fire was initiated by a short circuit in an electrical fan. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the evacuation process. However, to ensure the safety of students and staff, classes were canceled for the day while the school awaited a technical inspection to assess the damage and the condition of the facilities.

Director Ferrari indicated that the school has been experiencing ongoing electrical and structural issues for some time. An inspection is planned for Thursday, October 19, and the authorities are optimistic about resuming classes soon after these concerns are addressed. This incident raises questions about the maintenance of school facilities and the safety measures in place to protect students and staff in similar situations.