FATHER DIES, SON SURVIVES
Vishal Kumar, 32,
a firefighter with the MC who lost his life in the tragedy, has left behind his two minor sons — six-year-old Ansh and threeyear-old Moksh — orphaned as his wife had died last year. He was scheduled to get married again next week. Moksh, who does not know what death is, was confused to see his brother and other family members crying. All he knew was that his father was going to get married for the second time soon. Vikas Kumar, younger brother of Vishal, said that they were preparing for the wedding and now everything has ended. Vikas, who is married, said that now it is his responsibility to bring up his brother’s children. “I will treat them as my own kids, but I hope we get help from the government,” he said. The father-son duo had just set off for duty from home in Shimlapuri on Monday when they were informed of the fire at Gola Plastic Factory. Sub-fire officer Raj Kumar, in his 50s, and his fireman son Ajit were quick to react and were on the job when the building came crashing down. Ajit was fortunate to have survived since he had come out of the building at that moment while his father was still inside. On Tuesday, as he was still engaged in rescue work hoping to find his father alive, the latter’s body was pulled out of the rubble. This came just minutes after Manjit Kaur, Ajit’s mother, was consoled by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh with these words: “Miracles do happen.” No, that did not happen.