This young man risked his life to save students trapped in the Surat building fire
A fire in an illegal building in Surat last week killed 22 students. The toll could have been higher if not for 23-year-old Ketan Naranbhai Chodvadiya, who saved 10 students risking his own life.
A fire in Surat on May 24 claimed the lives of 22 students studying in a coaching centre that was housed in an illegal building. With no proper fire safety equipment, many students jump out from the windows to escape the fire.
Of the many videos of the fire being circulated on social media, one shows a man clinging to the window of the building, trying to help the students trapped in the building.
Ketan Naranbhai Chodvadiya is a 23-year-old BCom graduate. (Image: Indian Express)
Identified as 23-year-old Ketan Naranbhai Chodvadiya, the B Com graduate risked his own life to save students on the third and fourth floors of Takshashila Complex, reports India Today.
In a conversation with The Logical Indian, Ketan said,
“I could not believe my eyes when I saw scores of students jumping to their death from the windows of the building. I was petrified but I knew I had to do something.”
Ketan was with his father at the site of the incident, and encouraged to help, went behind the building to pull out younger children, reports The Indian Express. Next, he took a ladder and climbed the building to reach the third floor.
“The smoke blinded my eyes, but I was not scared. I was horrified at the thought that these children who were about to die. Initially, I saved two girls from falling and ensured they landed down safely. I then attempted to help others,” The Logical Indian quoted Ketan as saying."
While rescuing students from the top floor, he could only save 10 students.
“I am deeply disappointed that I could help only eight to 10 children out of so many who lost their lives. I am aghast at the negligence which led to the fire, but what surprised me more was the fact that hundreds of people at the spot were busy taking pictures and videos of the horrifying incident.”
He didn’t stop there, and even went to the hospital to see if any of the victims needed help.
“I believe it is my duty as a human being to be there for people who need me,” Ketan said. “How could one watch these kids dying and shoot videos? If others had helped, perhaps more lives could have been saved.”
In 2006, when Surat was hit by floods, Ketan, who was 12 years old then, had actively participated in relief operations with his father, a local businessman, packing and distributing food packets.
Do you have an interesting story to share? Please write to us at [email protected].To stay updated with more positive news, please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter
