<p id="thickbox_headline">Nineteen students were killed and dozens injured in a massive fire that broke out at a coaching centre in Surat on Friday afternoon.</p>.<p>Some of the students died after falling off the top floor of the three-storied commercial building while they were trying to save themselves from the fire which engulfed the whole floor. At least six other students are said to be critical.</p>.<p>Locals said there were nearly 50 students attending tuition classes at the coaching centre located in Takshashila commercial complex in Sarthana area when the fire broke out. The rescued students were quoted by fire officials as saying that plumes of smoke entered their classroom, growing thicker within minutes.</p>.<p>“Soon, there was a commotion and the students panicked. The fire quickly spread in the classroom and at least 10 students were charred to death on the spot. Five of them died after falling off the top floor. Four others died during treatment. There are dozens of students who are fighting for their lives,” said fire officials.</p>.<p>The students were in the age group of 12 to 23 while a 50-year-old was also killed in the fire. Police said they were trying to identify the bodies so that they could be handed over to the parents.</p>.<p>The local administration swung into action and 18 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. But, according to locals, they were not fully equipped to rescue the students. Several video clips showed a number of students jumping off the building.</p>.<p>The firemen were seen as mere spectators.</p>.<p>The state government ordered an inquiry into the incident. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of the deceased and sought a detailed report from the administration in three days.</p>.<p>Later in the evening, he reached Surat and met the injured students in hospitals.</p>.<p>“This is an extremely unfortunate incident. The students got trapped and many of them fell off the building. Mukesh Puri, principal secretary, urban development, has been asked to prepare a report on this. We will not spare anyone. We have decided to check fire safety in public places across the state,” Rupani told reporters in Surat.</p>.<p><strong>Condolences</strong></p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and tweeted, “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.”</p>.<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences and tweeted in Hindi.</p>.<p>“I am pained on hearing the news about the tragedy in Surat in Gujarat. I express my deep condolences to the families of the affected persons. I also wish for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Rahul said.</p>
<p id="thickbox_headline">Nineteen students were killed and dozens injured in a massive fire that broke out at a coaching centre in Surat on Friday afternoon.</p>.<p>Some of the students died after falling off the top floor of the three-storied commercial building while they were trying to save themselves from the fire which engulfed the whole floor. At least six other students are said to be critical.</p>.<p>Locals said there were nearly 50 students attending tuition classes at the coaching centre located in Takshashila commercial complex in Sarthana area when the fire broke out. The rescued students were quoted by fire officials as saying that plumes of smoke entered their classroom, growing thicker within minutes.</p>.<p>“Soon, there was a commotion and the students panicked. The fire quickly spread in the classroom and at least 10 students were charred to death on the spot. Five of them died after falling off the top floor. Four others died during treatment. There are dozens of students who are fighting for their lives,” said fire officials.</p>.<p>The students were in the age group of 12 to 23 while a 50-year-old was also killed in the fire. Police said they were trying to identify the bodies so that they could be handed over to the parents.</p>.<p>The local administration swung into action and 18 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. But, according to locals, they were not fully equipped to rescue the students. Several video clips showed a number of students jumping off the building.</p>.<p>The firemen were seen as mere spectators.</p>.<p>The state government ordered an inquiry into the incident. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of the deceased and sought a detailed report from the administration in three days.</p>.<p>Later in the evening, he reached Surat and met the injured students in hospitals.</p>.<p>“This is an extremely unfortunate incident. The students got trapped and many of them fell off the building. Mukesh Puri, principal secretary, urban development, has been asked to prepare a report on this. We will not spare anyone. We have decided to check fire safety in public places across the state,” Rupani told reporters in Surat.</p>.<p><strong>Condolences</strong></p>.<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and tweeted, “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.”</p>.<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences and tweeted in Hindi.</p>.<p>“I am pained on hearing the news about the tragedy in Surat in Gujarat. I express my deep condolences to the families of the affected persons. I also wish for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Rahul said.</p>
