This is the kitchen frightmare moment a leaking gas canister in a school canteen goes up in a massive fireball sparking an emergency evacuation of terrified pupils.

The inferno began when the cooking gas cylinder was being replaced in the kitchen at Geraldo de Andrade Vilela School, Carmo do Rio Claro, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, on 22nd April.

CCTV video footage of the drama shows that while the canister was being swapped, one of the hob burners was left on, setting fire to gas escaping from the new cylinder.

As the flames spread rapidly, the gas worker is seen trying to put out the fire by soaking his shirt in the sink in a bid to smother the flames.

Gas cylinder catches fire during exchange at state school in Carmo do Rio Claro, Brazil, April 22, 2025. The employee of the company responsible for changing the gas cylinder suffered minor burns to his face and hands. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)

But instead, he knocks over the container causing more gas to escape and the flames to climb even higher as he flees.

He returns moments later with a fire extinguisher filling the room with white gas as the footage ends.

Gas cylinder catches fire during exchange at state school in Carmo do Rio Claro, Brazil, April 22, 2025. The employee of the company responsible for changing the gas cylinder suffered minor burns to his face and hands. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)

It took a further five extinguishers to finally quench the flames.

Astonishingly the gas fitter escaped with minor burns to his hands and face and turned down medical treatment.

Meanwhile, teachers had evacuated the entire school out into the sports field.

(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)