On Friday, at least 20 people, including students and teachers, were killed when a major fire broke out in a building in Surat city of Gujarat. The students were attending tuition classes when the fire broke out at the Takshila building. Officials said at least 10 students on the third and fourth floors jumped to the ground to save themselves from the fire and smoke.

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Most of the students are said to be between the ages of 14 and 17. "The fire started near the staircase, so they could not get down," Joint Commissioner of Police Harikrishna Patel said

More than 50 students were inside the building when the mishap took place and 20 students have been safely evacuated from the building. The injured are in a critical condition and have been admitted to the hospital for treatment. The coaching institute was being run illegally.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said at least 19 students have died in the fire, but Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has put the figure at 20. "As per the information received, 20 students have died in the fire. Many others were injured and shifted to a hospital," Nitin Patel said.

Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were pressed into service to douse the fire and rescue those stuck inside the building, said an official of Surat fire control room. The fire was doused within an hour. No safety equipment was reportedly installed in the building, added the official.

Nineteen fire tenders and two hydraulic platforms were pressed into service to douse the fire and rescue those stuck inside the building, said an official of Surat fire control room. The fire was doused within an hour. No safety equipment was reportedly installed in the building, added the official.

Meanwhile, Rupani, who ordered an investigation into the incident by Mukesh Puri, principal secretary in the urban development department, later rushed to Surat. He also ordered a fire safety audit of schools, colleges and coaching centres across the state, and visited the injured children in hospitals. He also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of the deceased. The injured children will be given quick and proper treatment, he added.

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