Death toll climbs to 22, two fire officers suspended

Surat: The death toll in the devastating fire that broke out in Smart Design Studio in Sarthana climbed to 22 with three more, including a two-and-a-half-year old girl succumbing on Saturday even as Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)’s two fire officers were suspended for grave negligence.
Along with the toddler Karnavi Sitapara, two more girls Happy Panchani (16), a resident of Varachha and Dhruvi Rabadia (20), living near Sarthana Jakat Naka, succumbed to the injuries suffered due to jumping to escape the inferno in Takshahila Arcade.
Around 14 children are undergoing treatment at four different hospitals in Varachha and Katargam areas. Of the 11 injured boys, condition of seven is said to be stable while five are under observation in the intensive care units of private hospitals. Among the four girls, a 17-year-old is is yet to regain consciousness while another 18-year-old is under observation in the ICU. Condition of two other girls is stable.
A high-level meeting of all the department officials was held after which deputy chief fire officer SK Acharya, and Varachha fire officer Kirti Modh were suspended.
Smarting under the tragedy, municipal commissioner M Thennarasan claimed that more actions will be taken in the coming days, but SMC will first wait for the inquiry ordered by the state government. Thennarasan also claimed that all officials found to be careless and negligent in their duty will face action.
In a survey undertaken by the fire brigade department, 866 private tuition and coaching classes were found to be running with proper fire safety norms right under the nose of SMC and fire brigade. They were issued the procedural notices and instructed to install fire safety equipment according to the National Building Code Norms.
Basant Parikh, chief fire officer, claimed, “If these private tuition and coaching class owners do not comply within few days, they will not be allowed to operate their facilities.”
Meanwhile, diamond merchants and manufacturers held condolence meetings in Varachha and Mahidharpura on Saturday morning for the condolence meeting to pray for the departed souls. All offices and units were closed for the whole day as a mark of respect.
Toddler had accompanied neighbour
Surat: Two-and-a-half-year-old Karnavi Sitapara was the youngest victim of the tragedy. Daughter of Vinay Sitapara, who owns a photo studio in the city, Karnavi was taken to the coaching centre by her neighbour Grishma Gajera, the 22-year-old resident of Sardar Palace on Kadodara Road. Grishma who suffered burns jumped from the fourth floor holding Karnavi. The toddler died of brain haemorrhage due to the fall.
Rajesh Sitapara, Karnavi’s uncle said, “We saw a video in which Grishma was holding Karnavi and jumped from the fourth floor to save their lives, but both of them died.” Vinay, is a native of Devadia village in Rajkot, and Karnavi was his only child.
Top officials examine site
Mukesh Puri, principal secretary, department of urban development and housing visited the spot accompanied by Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services chief M F Dastoor and his team. A team of forensic science laboratory (FSL) Gandhinagar also visited the complex and collected samples for investigation. Talking to media, Puri said he examined the site, but the details can be shared only after the inquiry. Talking to TOI, Dastoor said that the fire seems to have broken somewhere outside the building and later spread inside rapidly. “Inquiry report will reveal exact details,” he added.