20 feared dead as flames consume Surat building

Twenty people, most of them students were reported to have died, and the death toll is expected to rise, after a fire engulfed a four-storey commercial complex in Surat on Friday. Most casualties were teenagers and children attending classes in a coaching centre located on the top floor of the building.

Several of those trapped on the upper floors jumped to their death in panic, while others died of asphyxiation due to the smoke. Several were injured.

Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were pressed into service for dousing and rescue operations.

The fire, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, started on the ground floor of Takshashila Complex in Sarthana area at around 4 pm.

Design classes were underway on the second floor of the building, while children between the ages of eight to 15 were attending art classes on the terrace.

"The fire quickly spread to the upper floors and blocked the only exit and entry point of the building," said officials from the Surat Fire control room, "Students from the Design classes rushed to the terrace to save themselves."

As the terrace was also covered by a roof, the smoke got trapped and many suffocated to death. A video circulating on social media showed many youngsters leaping from the second and third floors in panic.

Fire officials say a notice was issued to the building authorities regarding lack of fire safety a few weeks ago.

Inferno

• CM Vijay Rupani declared aid of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of the victims
• Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were needed to douse the fire
• Building authorities were issued a notice a few weeks ago due to lack of fire safety measures