How many times have coaching centre fires put student lives

Fire incidents in coaching centers have become a significant concern in recent years, posing a threat to the safety and lives of students and staff. These incidents highlight critical issues related to fire safety measures, building code violations, overcrowding, and inadequate emergency preparedness. The tragic consequences of fires in coaching centers have raised alarm bells and prompted authorities and stakeholders to take immediate action to prevent such disasters.

Here are a few of the recent incidents that have raised questions about the safety measures and regulatory oversight in place to protect the lives of students and staff within these premises:

Delhi (June 15, 2023)

At 12.30 pm on Thursday, a fire at a coaching center in Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi, was reported. Images showed students rappelling down using cables while carrying luggage as smoke came out of the building's top story. Four of the pupils suffered just minor wounds. 11 fire engines were dispatched to the area, and authorities assisted the students in escaping harm's path. Students began to fear when an electrical meter caught fire because of the smoke coming from the apparatus. According to Tata Power DDL, there is no recognized cause for the incident. The fire has been put out by the fire department, and district administration is on the scene.

Nagpur (December 30, 2022)

Following a fire that started at a private coaching center housed in a ground-plus-four-story structure on Umred Road in south Nagpur on Friday, at least 50 pupils somehow made it out unharmed. The loss was assessed to be worth about Rs 1.50 lakh by fire authorities from the fire and emergency services department of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The fire was only contained to the basement by fire crews from Sakkardara and Lakadganj fire stations, but electrical wires and other equipment were destroyed. The building's basement meter box, where the fire originated, had a short circuit, according to a preliminary investigation. Jayant Ganvir was the tenant of Narhari Kohle's property, which was owned by Narhari Kohle. The structure was deemed dangerous by the Sakkardara fire station in 2019, however, they were unable to take any action following the Covid-19 outbreak.

Surat (May 24, 2019)

A large fire that started at a coaching center in Surat, Gujarat, claimed the lives of at least 20 persons, predominantly students. In order to escape the conflagration, some kids were spotted leaping out of windows on the top floor of the four-story structure. Unsettling images showed individuals begging students to jump from a burning building so they could catch them. Joint Commissioner of Police Harikrishna Patel asserted that an electrical short circuit most likely started the incident. A video showed a high-voltage electrical box outside the building on fire. The owner of the building, the instructor of the class, and the builder of the structure had all been named in an FIR. According to officials who spoke to a news outlet, the building's nonfunctional fire escape and the material used in its top caused the fire to spread swiftly. 19 fire engines were dispatched to put out the fire, and there were 9 people confirmed dead, including 16 women.

India frequently disregards fire safety, which results in horrific disasters on a disturbingly regular basis. One of the leading causes of unintentional mortality in the nation, flames claimed the lives of more than 17,000 individuals in only one year. Fire incidents in coaching centers pose a grave risk to the lives of students and staff. Urgent action is required to address the underlying issues of inadequate fire safety measures, building code violations, and overcrowding. By enforcing stricter regulations, conducting regular inspections, and educating stakeholders, we can mitigate the risks and ensure a safer learning environment for all.