After Surat tragedy, fire safety checks at tuition classes

On Friday afternoon, 20 people including some students, died in a major fire which broke out in Surat. Ahmedabad Police commissioner, AK Singh, had issued a notification as a precautionary step, saying that all coaching classes, dance classes, summer camps and other such premises with children, shall remain closed until further notice and receipt of fire safety compliance certificate from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation fire department.

After the tragic incident in Surat, the Ahmedabad police department and AMC have taken action and have started a drive to thoroughly check the premises for fire safety.

Gandhinagar officials stated, "After today's incident, we have asked the fire officials of the GMC to ensure that no classes are run without fire NOC and a limit be imposed on the numbers that can sit in a room when shop licenses are given to such people. A drive will be taken up to check all the tutorials, tuition classes by the officials, while the education officers will check the safety and security of students."

After the incident took place in Surat, chief minister Vijay Rupani ordered an investigation into the incident and asked the Surat Municipal Corporation to send a report within three days and actions to be taken against those responsible. The CM has also declared financial aid of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the children who died in this incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed anguish over the fire tragedy in Surat and asked the Gujarat government and local authorities to provide all possible assistance to those affected. At least 20 students of a coaching class were killed when they jumped off a commercial complex after it caught fire.

On the other side, Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the Surat fire tragedy. "I express my deep anguish and hope for a quick recovery of the injured," tweeted Rahul.

The fire broke out at Takshila Arcades located in the Sarthana area of Surat. Primary reports indicate the fire started due to malfunction of AC ducts and compressors and nearly 20 people including students died in the incident.

On January 30, 2019, around 16 students who had gone to attend their tuition classes in Shajanand Complex located in Jivrajpark area, got stuck inside the building after a major fire broke out in the godown of the complex. Fortunately, all were rescued by the fire team.

After the incident took place, the AMC fire department team had started checking the tuition classes for fire safety. Seven teams were made during the drive

• 200 classes were checked
• 37 classes had only one fire extinguisher

CM Orders Inquiry

Chief minister Vijay Rupani has sought an inquiry into the fire incident in Surat which resulted in the loss of about 22 young lives. Rupani met the injured victims in hospital. He also expressed his condolences and announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families who lost their children. Education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama expressed grief over the incident.

Caught in Blaze 

• 20 people, including students died the Takshila Arcade fire on Friday afternoon
• Primary reports say the fire started due to short circuit inside AC ducts and compressors
• SMC to send a report in three days and an investigation will be carried out

Past Imperfect 

• Jan 30, 2019: 16 students got stuck inside Shajanand Complex, Jivrajpark after fire broke out in a godown of the complex. All were rescued. 7 teams made for inspection 
• 37 classes had only fire extinguisher, 160 classes had no such equipment