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{{Short description|2019 electrical fire in a commercial complex in Surat, Gujarat, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox event
| title = 2019 Surat fire
| image =
| image_size =
| date = {{start date|df=yes|2019|05|24}}
| time = 3:45–4:00 p.m. [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| venue = Takshashila Arcade
| place = [[Sarthana]], [[Surat]], [[Gujarat]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|21|13|51|N|72|54|03|E|type:event_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| reported death(s) = 22
| reported injuries = 19
| cause = Electrical [[short circuit]]
| notes =
}}

On 24 May 2019, a fire occurred at a commercial complex in Sarthana jagatnaka area of [[Surat]] in the [[Gujarat]] state of India. Twenty-two students died and others were injured in an academic coaching centre located on the building's terrace.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/number-of-deaths-in-surat-coaching-centre-fire-rises-to-22-2043016|title=Number Of Deaths In Surat Coaching Centre Fire Rises To 22|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526133424/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/number-of-deaths-in-surat-coaching-centre-fire-rises-to-22-2043016|archive-date=26 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The fire was started by a short circuit on the ground floor; the students in the coaching centre were trapped by the destruction of a wooden staircase. Three people were arrested for their alleged involvement or their alleged negligence leading to the fire and the deaths.

== Background ==
[[Fire safety]] regulations are poorly enforced in India. In the [[2004 Kumbakonam School fire]], 94 students died; subsequently, the [[Indian Supreme Court]] directed the government and schools to enforce strict fire safety compliance. On 26 November 2018, a student and a teacher died in an accidental fire at coaching centre located in the Vesu area of Surat, leading to the fire department officials of the [[Surat Municipal Corporation]] inspecting and sending notices to 230 coaching centres.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/16-girls-among-19-students-killed-in-surat-fire-tragedy/articleshow/69490206.cms|title=16 girls among 19 students killed in Surat fire tragedy|date=25 May 2019|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525184448/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/16-girls-among-19-students-killed-in-surat-fire-tragedy/articleshow/69490206.cms|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/no-policy-in-place-three-incidents-in-past-6-months-govt-caught-snoozing-on-rules-5747367/|title=Surat fire: Three incidents in past six months, govt caught snoozing on rules|date=25 May 2019|website=The Indian Express|language=en|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524220845/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/no-policy-in-place-three-incidents-in-past-6-months-govt-caught-snoozing-on-rules-5747367/|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 January 2019, 27 students were rescued from a coaching centre operating in a housing building when a fire broke out in a mattress shop on the ground floor.<ref name=":8" /> In February 2019, 17 people died in a [[Delhi hotel fire|fire in a hotel in Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/20-killed-in-massive-blaze-at-coaching-centre-in-surat-cm-orders-fire-safety-audit-of-schools-malls-2158511.html|title=20 Killed in Massive Blaze at Coaching Centre in Surat, CM Orders Fire Safety Audit of Schools & Malls|website=News18|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525072713/https://www.news18.com/news/india/20-killed-in-massive-blaze-at-coaching-centre-in-surat-cm-orders-fire-safety-audit-of-schools-malls-2158511.html|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Fire==
The fire occurred at a commercial complex called Takshashila Arcade, located in the Sarthana area of Surat.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=Surat Fire Live Updates: 15 dead at Takshashila Complex as helpless kids, teens jump off building |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/surat-fire-takshila-complex-helpless-kids-teens-jump-off-building/story/349992.html |work=[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]] |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524141809/https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/surat-fire-takshila-complex-helpless-kids-teens-jump-off-building/story/349992.html |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Smart Design Studio, a coaching centre, was operating in a makeshift dome built on the terrace of the building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-major-fire-breaks-out-in-sarthana-building/articleshow/69484254.cms|title=Surat fire: Gujarat: 19 killed in Surat building fire; many injured|date=24 May 2014|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524185349/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-major-fire-breaks-out-in-sarthana-building/articleshow/69484254.cms|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> The fire broke out between 3:45 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]]). An electrical short circuit in air conditioner started a fire on the ground floor near a staircase on the rear side of the building. The fire quickly spread, engulfing the third floor and the makeshift dome on the terrace of the building. There were about 50 to 70 students in the coaching centre at the time.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/horrifying-video-of-surat-coaching-centre-fire-shows-kids-falling-off-second-floor-1533881-2019-05-24|title=Horrifying video of Surat coaching centre fire shows kids falling off second floor|date=24 May 2019|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524152230/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/video/horrifying-video-of-surat-coaching-centre-fire-shows-kids-falling-off-second-floor-1533881-2019-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/surat-fire-20-killed-fire-brigade-arrives-late-claim-witnesses20190525052645/|title=Surat fire: 20 killed; fire brigade arrives late, claim witnesses|website=www.aninews.in|language=en|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525024452/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/surat-fire-20-killed-fire-brigade-arrives-late-claim-witnesses20190525052645/|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Two shops and several vehicles parked near the building were also destroyed in another fire ignited by the blaze.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-fire-two-fire-officers-suspended-state-government-orders-all-coaching-centres-to-be-shut-2043068|title=Two Fire Officers Suspended For Surat Fire, Coaching Centres Ordered Shut|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526132739/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-fire-two-fire-officers-suspended-state-government-orders-all-coaching-centres-to-be-shut-2043068|archive-date=26 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The fire brigade arrived with 19 [[fire engine]]s and two hydraulic platforms. They doused the fire in an hour and rescued several students; however, several had jumped off the building to save themselves.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-surat-coaching-centre-fire-casualties-injured-fire-department-live-updates-1533860-2019-05-24|title=Surat fire: 19 killed in coaching centre blaze, horrific visuals show kids falling off burning building|date=24 May 2019|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524133321/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-surat-coaching-centre-fire-casualties-injured-fire-department-live-updates-1533860-2019-05-24|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-fire-live-updates-15-dead-many-trapped-in-surat-building-fire-accident-today/liveblog/69484450.cms|title=Surat fire accident live updates: Death toll rises to 17; probe ordered|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524184314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-fire-live-updates-15-dead-many-trapped-in-surat-building-fire-accident-today/liveblog/69484450.cms|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

A total of 22 students died: 18 girls and 4 boys, aged between 15 and 22.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/gujarat/surat-fire-tragedy-death-toll-touches-22-nhrc-issues-notice-to-gujarat-government-2206548.html|title=Surat fire tragedy death toll touches 22; NHRC issues notice to Gujarat government|date=2019-05-26|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=2019-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526103347/https://zeenews.india.com/gujarat/surat-fire-tragedy-death-toll-touches-22-nhrc-issues-notice-to-gujarat-government-2206548.html|archive-date=26 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Of these, 16 students died due to fire or asphyxiation, 3 died as they jumped off the terrace of the building, and 3 succumbed to the fire-burns they sustained.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/surat-fire-incident-two-arrested-three-including-coaching-center-owner-booked-as-toll-mounts-to-20/1588733/|title=Surat fire incident: Two arrested, three including coaching center owner booked as toll mounts to 20|date=25 May 2019|website=The Financial Express|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525060652/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/surat-fire-incident-two-arrested-three-including-coaching-center-owner-booked-as-toll-mounts-to-20/1588733/|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Three of the students who died had appeared for the Class XII exams of the [[Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board|Gujarat education board]], the results of which were declared on 25 May 2019, a day after their deaths.<ref>{{cite news |title=Three Of 20 Students Killed In Surat Coaching Centre Fire Pass 12th Exams |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/three-of-20-students-killed-in-surat-coaching-centre-fire-pass-class-12th-exams-2042979 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=May 25, 2019 |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525143559/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/three-of-20-students-killed-in-surat-coaching-centre-fire-pass-class-12th-exams-2042979 |archive-date=25 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> A further 16 students were admitted to hospital; a child aged three or four years old was also hospitalised with burn injuries.<ref name=":12" />

== Investigation ==
{{update section|date=October 2020}}
The [[Surat Municipal Corporation]] officials ordered an investigation regarding the statutory permission, including fire safety, of the building.<ref name=":2" /> The [[Surat Urban Development Authority]] (SUDA) had approved the plan for a residential scheme on the site in 2001 but a commercial complex was built illegally in 2007. Under the Gujarat Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act, the complex with its second floor was legalised in 2013. The third floor was not legally approved. The coaching centre owner had also constructed a six-foot high makeshift dome illegally on the terrace. More than 50 burnt tires were also found on the terrace.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/surat-fire-accident-news-gujarat-arrested-takshashila-complex-students-killed-2159047.html|title=Surat Fire: Complex Was An 'Illegally Built' Death Trap With No Way Out, Coaching Centre Owner Held|website=News18|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525072032/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/surat-fire-accident-news-gujarat-arrested-takshashila-complex-students-killed-2159047.html|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> There was no fire safety equipment in the building. The students were trapped because the only way to the top floor was a wooden staircase which was destroyed by the fire.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> Two fire officers were suspended for their alleged negligence in conducting the fire safety inspection of the building.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/surat-coaching-centre-owner-2-builders-held/778300.html|title=Surat coaching centre owner, 2 builders held|last=Dasgupta|first=Manas|date=2019-05-25|work=The Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526091556/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/surat-coaching-centre-owner-2-builders-held/778300.html|archive-date=26 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three people including the coaching centre owner and builders were arrested and the complaints against them were filed by the police.<ref name=":11" />

Gujarat Chief Minister [[Vijay Rupani]] had also ordered the investigation under Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department Mukesh Puri.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-fire-live-updates-15-dead-many-trapped-in-surat-building-fire-accident-today/liveblog/69484450.cms|title=Surat fire accident live updates: Death toll rises to 20; CM orders probe|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524184314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-fire-live-updates-15-dead-many-trapped-in-surat-building-fire-accident-today/liveblog/69484450.cms|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[National Human Rights Commission of India|National Human Rights Commission]] also issued a notice to the Government of Gujarat.<ref name=":12" />

== Aftermath ==
[[Amdavad Municipal Corporation|Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation]] and [[Vadodara Municipal Corporation]] issued notices to all premises housing children, containing orders to remain closed until they receive a fire safety compliance certificate.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/surat-fire-coaching-centre-vadodara-mc-notice-fire-safety-noc-5747196/|title=After Surat fire, Vadodara MC asks to 152 coaching centres to remain shut till they acquire fire NOC|date=24 May 2019|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524175700/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/surat-fire-coaching-centre-vadodara-mc-notice-fire-safety-noc-5747196/|archive-date=24 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, the [[Government of Gujarat]] ordered the shut down of all private coaching centres in the state until fire safety inspections are conducted. The government also ordered a fire safety inspection of schools, colleges, coaching centres, hospitals, shopping malls and other commercial buildings.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> The Delhi fire service decided to conduct the fire safety inspection of all coaching centres in Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-fire-after-surat-fire-incident-delhi-fire-department-to-conduct-safety-audit-2043050|title=After Surat Incident, Delhi Fire Department To Conduct Safety Audit|website=NDTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526132742/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-fire-after-surat-fire-incident-delhi-fire-department-to-conduct-safety-audit-2043050|archive-date=26 May 2019|url-status=live|access-date=2019-05-26}}</ref>

Rupani visited the hospitals, offered condolences to the families and announced the compensation of {{INRConvert|4|l}} each to the families of children who died in the accident.<ref>{{cite news |title=Surat fire: Gujarat govt announces Rs 4 lakh compensation to victims' kin |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/buzztop/buzztop-feature/surat-fire-gujarat-govt-announces-rs-4-lakh-compensation-to-victims-kin/story/349998.html |work=[[Business Today (India)|Business Today]] |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524160239/https://www.businesstoday.in/buzztop/buzztop-feature/surat-fire-gujarat-govt-announces-rs-4-lakh-compensation-to-victims-kin/story/349998.html |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several politicians expressed support and condolences, including Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], [[Amit Shah]], Union Home Minister [[Rajnath Singh]], [[Ashok Gehlot]] and [[Rahul Gandhi]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srinivasan |first1=Chandrashekar |title=Surat Fire: PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi And Gujarat Chief Minister Send Messages Of Support |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-fire-prime-minister-narendra-modi-gujarat-chief-minister-vijay-rupani-lead-condolences-state-g-2042651 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524160206/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-fire-prime-minister-narendra-modi-gujarat-chief-minister-vijay-rupani-lead-condolences-state-g-2042651 |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dey |first1=Stela |title="Extremely Anguished," PM Tweets Condolences After Surat Fire Kills 18 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-coaching-class-fire-extremely-anguished-pm-narendra-modi-tweets-condolences-after-surat-fire-k-2042633 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524150852/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/surat-coaching-class-fire-extremely-anguished-pm-narendra-modi-tweets-condolences-after-surat-fire-k-2042633 |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Surat fire tragedy: 17 dead; Ministers offer condolences |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/surat-fire-tragedy-17-dead-ministers-offer-condolences20190524201828/ |publisher=[[Asian News International]] |date=24 May 2019 |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524163737/https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/surat-fire-tragedy-17-dead-ministers-offer-condolences20190524201828/ |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[1837 Surat fire]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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{{Disasters in India in 2019}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Surat fire}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Disasters in Gujarat, Fires in India, History of Gujarat (1947–present), May 2019 events in India, Urban fires in Asia, History of Surat, Commercial building fires, 2010s in Gujarat
|description=
}}

[[Category:2019 fires|Surat]]
[[Category:2019 disasters in India|Surat fire]]
[[Category:Disasters in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Fires in India]]
[[Category:History of Gujarat (1947–present)]]
[[Category:May 2019 events in India]]
[[Category:Urban fires in Asia]]
[[Category:History of Surat]]
[[Category:Commercial building fires]]
[[Category:2010s in Gujarat]]

2019 Surat fire - Revision history

MetaBOT at 20:05, 8 July 2023