Hydraulic platform prevents tragedy

Surat: A hydraulic platform and turntable prevented a Takshashila Arcade like tragedy as the equipment helped bring down over 100 migrant workers trapped in the fire.
The fire that started on lower floors in the six storey building that has two basements and gradually spread in the upper floors where the workers lived in 15 rooms.
In May 2019, fire in Takshashila Arcade in Sarthana had killed 22 people, mostly students. Many students of the architecture institute on an unauthorised fourth floor had jumped to the ground to save themselves from fire and smoke.
The building of Vivah Packaging was registered as a residential building and not a factory and police will investigate if it has some illegal construction.
“There was no other route to get out except the main staircase and goods were stored on the stairs as well. These goods also caught fire due to which it was blocked,” said Usha Rada Desai, district superintendent of police, Surat.
Surat Municipal Corporation’s firefighting team of 125 men reached the spot with a firefighter, one hydraulic platform and a turntable ladder. Both the rescue machines rescued over 100 people from upper floor galleries and terrace. The machines can rescue people from upto 55 m height.
“Highly inflammable textile and plastic material was stored on all floors except two upper floors that were used as residence for workers. The smoke had covered the stairs and spread to the upper floors making it life threatening for all inside,” said N V Upadhyay, deputy municipal commissioner, SMC.