Surat: A fire erupted in the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) corporator Jitendrabhai (Jitu) Kachhadiya in the Varachha area of the city. As the flames engulfed the house, six family members jumped into the neighbouring house to escape, but the 17-year-old son lost his life after becoming trapped.

Corporator Jitendrabhai Kachhadiya resides in a joint family in Ananddhara Society in Mota Varachha, occupying a ground-plus-two-story bungalow. He has two sons; the elder runs a business, while the younger, 17-year-old Prince, was a student in Class 12 preparing for board exams.

In the house, the first floor was unoccupied, and the entire family slept on the second floor. Around two o’clock in the night, a sudden fire broke out on the first floor, intensifying rapidly and spreading smoke throughout the house. All the members of the family who were sleeping on the second floor woke up and tried to come out of the house. However, it was not possible to descend.

To save their lives, six family members jumped onto the roof of a neighbouring house. Unfortunately, Prince was unable to do that due to the smoke, resulting in serious injuries from the fire. Meanwhile, a call was made to the fire department, which reached the scene immediately. After a significant effort, they brought the fire under control using water cannons. During this operation, Prince was found on the second floor in critical condition. He was transported to SMIMER Hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead.

According to the fire department, the emergency call was received around 2 a.m., and the fleet promptly responded. Although six members were safe after jumping to safety, attempts to save Prince were unsuccessful.

Natwar Kachdia, uncle of the deceased, shared, “We were asleep at night, and at 2 o’clock, we learned that the house was on fire. In our attempt to escape to save our lives, Prince was left behind and trapped.” DeshGujarat