Surat hero Ketan lauded for risking life to save students from coaching centre fire

Ketan Chodvadiya, who lives just behind the building, was on his way home, when he saw the fire. He climbed the burning building, perched himself on a ledge, and saved several students who were jumping from the top floor of the building.

Several users are praising Ketan for helping others. (Express Photo: Bhupendra Rana)

At least 20 students died after a massive fire engulfed Takshashila arcade, a three-storey commercial complex in Gujarat’s Surat on Friday. Several students, who were attending summer coaching classes on the building’s illegally covered rooftop, began jumping out of windows as the fire consumed a wooden stairway which was the only entry and exit point to the building. Three students died while trying to jump out.

Ketan Chodvadiya, who lives just behind the building, was on his way home when he saw the fire and stopped. Ketan climbed the building, perched himself on a ledge, and saved several students who were jumping from the top floor of the building. Several social media users are commending Ketan for helping others before saving himself.

“You redefined bravery!” remarked one user on Twitter. “Hats off to you,” wrote another as others thanked him for his selfless act.

Braveheart 🙏
Ketan Jorawadia climbed up to 2nd floor & saved life of 2 students yesterday in Takshshila complex #SuratFireTragedy
Putting his own life at risk in sure death zone & going all out to save lives of fellow citizen is an extraordinary bravery
Salute & Respect Ketan🙏 pic.twitter.com/9t6vTaGFTn

— Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) May 25, 2019

Helping moments turn ordinary people to extraordinary heroes 👏👏

Salute and Respect to this Hero who saved Childrens risking his own life. May the deceased RIP. 🙏#SuratFireTragedy pic.twitter.com/qd4xuzZRnW

— V a m s h i K r i s h™ (@CultPKfan143) May 25, 2019

Ketan Jorawadia climbed up to the 2nd floor and saved several students from falling off the complex. Trying moments turn ordinary people to extraordinary heroes. #Respect.
#SuratFireTragedy pic.twitter.com/RZ2t9cxQkB

— Gita S. Kapoor 🇮🇳 (@GitaSKapoor) May 25, 2019

Hats off real life hero Ketan Jorawadia,Climbed up to 2nd floor & saved life of 2 students..
Extraordinary bravery salute & Respect Ketan..#SuratFireTragedy pic.twitter.com/jFa1Vt4Qa0

— 🐦Beinghuman Firoj🐦 (@firoj_mohmmad) May 25, 2019

Not all Heroes wear capes!!
This guy saved the lives of two kids in a heroic way. To save one life is to save humanity, you have saved two my friend. #SuratFireTragedy #HERO pic.twitter.com/8oXzRB1ZrU

— Saurav Rathi (@rathi_saurav) May 25, 2019

Words fall short when I talk about this brave Gentleman.
Meet Ketan Jorawadia who climbed up & saved life of 2 students yesterday in Takshshila complex #SuratFireTragedy.
Putting his own life at risk, he actually become an example of Humanity.
Thankyou Brother from Surat🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/Tna3nmEEMO

— official.Ashok.Kumar (@ENGINEER99299) May 25, 2019

The police Saturday arrested one of the accused who ran classes in the building. Two others are absconding. Follow live updates of the Surat fire here.