Surat fire safety officers suspended as death toll rises in coaching centre tragedy

Surat Deputy chief fire officer SK Acharya and Fire officer Kirti Modh have been suspended for irregularities in quick action during Surat fire tragedy.

A culpable homicide case has also been filed by police against three people over the incident. Satish Sharma, Commissioner of Police in the city of Surat, told reporters that one of the three men named in the police report ran the classes and has been arrested, though no charges have been brought yet.

The Gujarat government has ordered an inquiry into the incident, as well as a fire safety audit of schools, colleges, coaching centres and commercial buildings in Surat, where the fire occurred.

There was no safety equipment installed in the building and no escape routes for the students, a fire official separately said.

Some eyewitnesses and families of the victims have also alleged fire officials were slow to arrive, according to Reuters partner ANI. Paresh Patel, whose daughter was inside the commercial complex when the fire broke out, said the fire brigade took 45 minutes to arrive.