20 people have been killed after a fire broke out in a coaching centre in Surat in Gujarat. Initial investigation suggests that the fire broke out due to a short circuit.
The Gujarat CM has ordered an investigation into the incident and declared help of Rs.4 lakh each to the bereaved families of the victims.
The casualties, mostly young students died either due to suffocation or because they jumped off the burning building. The students were attending their tuition class when fire occurred due to short circuit.
Disturbing visuals from the site, show helpless children jumping off the building, to escape the fire.
PM Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the incident and assured action.
As a precautionary measure, all coaching centres, dance classes and summer camps have been closed until they get an NOC from the Fire Safety Department.
An investigation is underway to investigate whether the coaching centre had the necessary permits to carry its operations.