21 Dead in Surat Fire, Students Jump out of Windows

Wepen, May 24, 2019: At least 21 were killed and several injured in a devastating fire at a coaching centre in Sarthana of Surat, Gujarat. The coaching centre was located on the third and fourth floors of the Taxshila Complex.

The fire broke out at around 3:30pm on Friday. A fire official said 19 fire engines were sent in to tackle the fire. “Students on fourth and third floor jumped off to the ground to save themselves from fire and smoke. Many have been rescued and sent to hospital,” the fire official added.

A video shot by a journalist shows students jumping out of the second floor windows. The students were in the age bracket of 14 to 17 years.

Earlier Satish Kumar Mishra talking to media persons had stated that fifteen people had died in the fire. “The death toll may rise” he had added.

The fire has been put off. Rescue operations are underway.

Vijay Rupani, the Gujarat chief minister has declared financial help of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of children who died in this incident, an official statement from CM office said. He has also ordered an inquiry into the fire. Prima facie the fire broke out from a short circuit.

Narendra Modi in a tweet has stated “Extremely anguished by the fire tragedy in Surat. My thoughts are with bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. Have asked the Gujarat Government and local authorities to provide all possible assistance to those affected.”

Authorities in Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Vadodara have ordered the shut down of all coaching centers till fire safety systems of commercial building are reviewed and okayed. In Ahmedabad the shut down will be effective for dance classes and summer camps also.

“All Coaching Class, Dance Class, Summer Camps and all such premises which house children shall be closed until further notice and till Fire Safety Compliance Certificate from AMC Fire Department is obtained” stated the Ahmedabad Police.