Magician Aakash performs 'Great Fire Escape'

Panaji, Nov 26 (UNI) Following the footsteps of Hailey Houdini, Akash, son of renowned magician 'Jadugar Anand' today successfully performed the 'Great Fire Escape' with a text book precision and achieved a rare feat.

He executed the feat, performed by yet another world famous US magician Hailey Houdini, for the first time in Goa and stunned the audience. Earlier, he did it in Bangalore before a cheering crowd for the first time in his life.

Tied with a 25-feet long iron chain, 25 locks and a special gear, Aakash was handcuffed and lifted head down and hung to a huge crane.

He was then thrown in a haystack in presence of Social Welfare Minister Subhash Shirodkar and the crowd.

Immediately after Aakash was dumped into the huge haystack, it was set on fire with petrol. Within a fraction of a second, the young magician managed to escape the leaping fire in the scorching sun.

He was lifted from the haystack onto the podium amid roaring applause.

Police and Rapid Action Force Jawans guarded the barricades while the fire service personnel were ready with extinguishers and water cans during the show.

After the performance thousands thronged the elevated stage to congratulate Aakash. Jadugarh Anand was making a running commentary of the entire show. The media persons particularly the photo and videographers had a tough time as the crowd behind started booing them to clear the stage for a better view.

Aakash, however, suffered minor burns on his back and head in the process. Calling the feat as a thrilling experience, he advised the crowd not to imitate him as it was dangerous.

''It was a thrilling experience. I had a close shave with the leaping flames. For God's sake, do not imitate me. I am not a hardcore magician yet, you know,'' he told UNI after performing the rare feat.

Though it was a difficult feat, I love to do the adventure, he said, reminding people of the tragic episode in which 40-year-old Sunny George lost his life when he made a similar maiden attempt in Kerala's Pandalam town in December, 2000.

Aakash's father Anand and Minister Shirodkar heaved a sigh of relief as Aakash was escorted to the stage. The hot chains and other wrap-ups were removed after he was kept on the table on the stage even as the fire brigade officers were extinguishing the flames billowing huge smoke towards the adjoining Kala Academy, the venue of the ongoing International Film Festival of India.

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