IN A major tragedy, 21 students have perished in a fire that engulfed a commercial complex in Surat on Friday where a coaching class was in progress and numerous others have been hospitalised. There were more than 50 students attending the tuition class when fire broke out in the building trapping students and others on the third and fourth floors.

 

By last count, about 21 of them have perished some of them when they jumped off the building to escape the fire and swirling flames, fire brigade sources said. At least 20 others are in hospital undergoing treatment. The fire brigade is still battling the flames. Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms have been pressed into service Even as condolence messages poured in from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Opposition leader Ahmed patel, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav and others, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani rushed to Surat and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the kin of the deceased.

 

The Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat Municipal Commissioners ordered a closure of all coaching centres, danceclasses and summer camps in the areas under their domain until further orders.A fire safety audit of all commercial premises has been ordered.

 

In Ahmedabad a fire safety compliance certificate from the fire brigade and the Ahmedabad police has been made compulsory.Union Health Minister J P Nadda talked on the telephone with Chief Minister Rupani and has directed the AIIMS trauma centre director to render all help. The Urban Development Department of the State Government has been directed to carry out an inquiry into the entire matter forthwith.

 

While BJP chief Amit Shah urged party cadres to render all possible assistance, relief and succour, NCP leader and former Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela urged the State Government to hike the compensation to Rs 10 lakhs for the deceased.

 

Visuals of students jumping off the third and fourth floor of Takshila building aired on television created panic atmosphere. People in Surat rushed to the building to help. In fact it was the people who first reached out and helped in the rescue operations in the four storeyed building.