18 Students die in massive fire at Surat commercial complex, many jump off to escape

Mangalore Today News Network

Maharastra, May 24, 2019 : In a massive fire that broke out at a designing centre in Surat on Friday evening, at least 18 people were killed and several others injured as they tried to jump out from the top floor of the building in a bid to save themselves, Surat Police Commissioner Satish Kumar Mishra said, Hindustan Times reported.

 

The fire, which broke out on the fourth floor of a commercial complex called Takshila in Sarthana area of Surat, soon engulfed the entire top floor of the building. In a video posted on social media, soon after the incident, around ten people could be seen jumping out in an attempt to escape the blaze. Some of them were already ablaze as they jumped out of the top floor.

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

The total number of casualties are yet to be ascertained and fire fighting operations are still on. Eighteen fire tenders are on the spot, news agency ANI reported.

According to news agency ANI, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani has ordered an investigation into the incident. The CM has also declared financial help of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the people who died in the incident.

“Deeply saddened by the news of Surat fire tragedy.Instructed officials to do needful. My prayers are with all those affected. May those who have been injured recover at the earliest.” the Gujarat chief minister tweeted.

Gujarat’s minister of state for Health and Family Welfare Kishor Kanani, who is present at the spot said that the institute did not follow fire safety norms and also assured that action would be taken against those responsible for the horrifying incident.