K Shanmugha Sundaram/ENS
 
Vellore, Apr 25: Over 30,000 SSLC examination answer scripts kept for evaluation at Voorhees Higher Secondary School in Vellore were destroyed in a fire on Thursday night.

While 5,000 scripts were gutted, 25,000 were destroyed when the fire was being doused.

According to sources, 23,649 English - Paper II answer scripts from Villupuram education district, among others, were kept in the room, in which the fire broke out around 10 pm.

Around 1.06 lakh answer scripts of all major subjects from Villupuram, Chennai, Salem, Erode, Madurai and Krishnagiri districts are being evaluated at the school.

The room was sealed around 7 pm and there were two guards, including a policeman, at the school.

As there was no electricity connection and all the windows were closed, locals suspect some foul play and do not rule out the use of phosphorous in the incident.

The DIG and SP rushed to the spot and conducted an enquiry along with Vellore Chief Education Officer.