OTTAWA, May 26 (UPI) -- A Canadian high school student was killed and several others were injured Thursday when an oil drum exploded in an Ottawa auto shop classroom, officials said.
The explosion happened around 11 a.m. at the Mother Teresa Catholic High School and triggered an evacuation of some 1,400 students to another high school, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
Paramedics said one unidentified 18-year-old male student was pronounced dead at the scene and a 17-year-old suffered serious internal injuries. At least three other students were hurt, the report said.
The QMI Agency said students were building barbecues when the explosion happened.
Initial reports said a drum of combustible peppermint oil exploded, although there was no fire, the CBC said.
The school's public address system wasn't working, and teachers went from classroom to classroom to begin the evacuation, students told the broadcaster.
Fire officials said there was no major structural damage to the school.
