A major fire broke out at the GA. Atoll Education Centre in GA. Villin'gili tonight.

The incident has caused huge loss. 

A senior school official told Mihaaru News that the fire originated in an air-conditioning unit in the primary staffroom of the school. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent print room and a classroom, completely destroying the three rooms, he said. 

"The three rooms are in the same block. The primary staffroom, print room and one classroom have been burnt to ashes," the official said. 

He said that joint efforts from the residents of Villin'gili had led to the fire being brought under control in around 30 minutes. 

"The fire is no longer spreading, it has been controlled," he said. 

He added that had the fire not been controlled so swiftly, much more damage would have been caused, noting that the science labs, which contains chemicals, are located quite close to the block where the fire broke out. 

"Luckily, we were able to control the fire before it spread to the labs," he said.

The school teaches from foundation level to Grade 12, and has around 750 students enrolled.