In a shocking incident, a massive fire engulfed the 10th floor of Devkripa Apartment in the Citylight area of Surat on Thursday night, trapping approximately 15 people who were attending a religious gathering. Tragically, the fire claimed the life of a 55-year-old woman and severely injured two young girls.
The blaze ignited due to a gas leak while prasadi, an offering for worship, was being prepared. The fire rapidly spiraled out of control, trapping those in attendance and causing a wave of panic.
Radhaben Baraiya, a 55-year-old domestic worker who was present at the time of the incident, succumbed to her burn injuries despite being rushed to the New Civil Hospital. Two girls, Arpit, 13, and Raya, 6, also suffered severe burns and are currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital.
Upon receiving the emergency call, the Surat Municipal Corporation Fire Brigade rushed to the scene. On arrival, they found that the fire had spread to the main gate, complicating the rescue operation. Swiftly, the firefighters utilized a lift to access an adjacent apartment, enabling the rescue of a total of 15 individuals.
Sanjeev Tibriwala, a resident of Devkripa Apartment, had organized the religious event at his home. The fire broke out while prasadi was being prepared for the gathering, escalating swiftly due to the gas leak. Despite the swift action of the fire brigade, the life of one attendee could not be saved, marking a tragic end to what was intended to be a peaceful gathering of worship.
The incident led to a wave of fear among residents in the surrounding area, but the fire department was successful in rescuing all those trapped, preventing further casualties.
