In what was a disastrous incident in Surat, several students of a coaching centre were forced to jump off a commercial complex after it caught fire today afternoon. What started as a small spark turned out to be a big disaster.
The fire completely surrounded the third and fourth floor of the Taxshila Complex, the official who witnessed the scenes added in a statement.
Surat Police Commissioner Satish Kumar Mishra said that death toll may rise. “At least 15 people have died in the fire. Death toll may rise”.
Visuals on TV channels depicted students jumping off the third and fourth floors of the building.
A fire official said as many as 19 fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were brought into effect to extinguish fire.
At the need of the hour, locals over there were seen helping in the rescue operation to save stranded students including other occupants of the four-storey building.
“Around 10 students on the fourth and third floor jumped off on the ground to save themselves from fire and smoke. Many have been rescued and sent to the hospital. The operation to douse the fire is on,” said a fire official.
Watch the video below:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his anguish over the disaster that shocked the entire nation
“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,” PM Modi tweeted.
In a video clip of the incident, some young students were forced to come out of the windows of a coaching class and jumping off from the third and fourth floors amid thick smoke coming out from the complex.