Fire Guts Old Quarter at Historic Victoria Boys’ School in Kurseong

Amitava Banerjee, MP, May 16, 2026, Darjeeling : A massive fire broke out at an old quarter in the premises of the iconic Victoria Boys’ School on Friday afternoon. However, there was no report of any loss of life or injury.

The fire broke out at around 3.30 pm in one of the old abandoned quarters situated inside the school campus in Kurseong.

The fire spread rapidly, leaving little time for school employees and nearby residents to respond.

On receiving information, fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot. With a lot of effort, they managed to bring the fire under control before it could spread to other structures in the campus.

“The quarter was completely gutted in the fire. However, the main school building and other structures remained unaffected,” stated local resident Rakesh Gazmer.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained. An investigation is underway.

Victoria Boys’ School is one of the oldest and most historically significant boarding schools in the Darjeeling Hills. It was established in 1879 by Sir Ashley Eden, then Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.

Initially started for the children of railway employees, the school later opened its doors to children of middle and lower-income government employees.

A house named “Constantia” in Kurseong was purchased and converted into a residential school. In August 1879, the first batch of 16 students travelled from Siliguri to Kurseong in tongas.

As student numbers increased, the school shifted to its present Dow Hill campus after old railway quarters were handed over to the Education Department.

The first Headmaster was Edward Pegler, assisted by his wife Elizabeth Pegler, who later headed Dow Hill Girls’ School.

By 1888, due to rising demand, the institution was reserved exclusively for boys and gradually emerged as one of the Darjeeling Hills’ most prestigious boarding schools.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post