At least 8 students, 1 teacher injured in chemical fire at Hendersonville school: An official with the Hendersonville Fire Department said 17 students and one teacher were either triaged at the scene or transported to local hospitals.
During an experiment in lab by students to see change of flame colours of different salts, the incident happened. The incident appears to have happened to demonstrate rainbow flame by adding different salts to ignited ethyl alcohol. A flash fire occurred lasting 3-5 seconds.
In laboratories, will be working with known/unknown materials. The awareness on lab safety particularly in schools/colleges is generally low compared to industrial safety. Knowledge on properties of chemicals, methods to avoid hazards, control and mitigation measures, use of personal protective equipment, etc will help in avoid consequences from the work. Making safety principles as a topic in every subject let it be science / engineering / arts can help improving awareness.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/05/09/a-classroom-science-experiment-turned-into-a-chemical-fire-injuring-17/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.f3e0c55beb7f
http://www.wsmv.com/story/38149598/principal-8-students-1-teacher-injured-in-fire-at-hendersonville-school
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/high-school-chemistry-lab-fire-prompts-warnings-for-science-teachers/2015/11/05/eb78543e-8312-11e5-9afb-0c971f713d0c_story.html?utm_term=.4025ee47ffa1
http://www.wkrn.com/top-news/chemistry-safety-experts-warn-schools-to-stop-unsafe-science-demonstrations/1172474948