Surat fire: Youth turns Messiah for many

Surat(Gujarat): During the fire mishap at the Takshila Complex in Surat yesterday, a youth turned messiah for many students by giving them a new lease of life.

Upon hearing screams for help and spotting smoke billowing out of the building, the youth, Ketan, arrived at the spot and immediately launched a rescue operation and saved 10 lives much before the Fire Services personnel could arrive at the spot.

“I took a ladder and rescued 8-10 students including boys and girls from backside of the building. I am repenting that I could not rescue more people,” he said.

A resident of Takshila said, “The youth who mustered the courage and saved lives, is the real hero. People shooting the mishap with their mobile phones are not heroes.”

Meanwhile, the district administration handed over bodies of more than 22 victims including five meritorious students who died in the fire mishap.

“There was smoke everywhere causing breathing problems. Some people standing near the building asked me to jump off the building and save myself. I followed the instruction and jumped,” said Ram Baghani, a student who saved his life.

The devastating blaze broke out at a coaching centre in Surat which took the lives of 23 persons. Most of the students who were killed in the fire mishap were between the age of 14 and 17.

Police have arrested the coaching centre owner and forwarded to court.

Surat Police Commissioner Satish Sharma said, “We are trying to deliver justice to the family of deceased with speedy probe. Yesterday, the main accused was detained for questioning and arrested later. Efforts are on to arrest other two accused.”