A GoFundMe campaign dedicated to helping raise treatment funds for Preet Harsoda, a 27-year-old Indian student in the US, has nearly amassed $50,000. However, the finish line is still far off, considering only 42% of the $100,000 goal has been achieved so far.
The Indian Students Association of Tallahassee’s (INSAT) president Mani Tyagi also started a separate GoFundMe in collaboration with the India Association of Tallahassee (IATLH), according to local US reports. This particular fundraiser had completed nearly 90% of its $60,000 goal, having raised $52,261 at the time of writing.
Both fundraisers seek to alleviate the life-changing troubles faced by dozens of Indian students miles away from their home country in light of an alarming fire consuming an apartment complex in Florida last week.
Preet Harsoda – About the Indian student affected by the Florida university apartment fire
Harsoda is one of the several students who journeyed from India to the United States to study at Florida State University. However, tragedy struck on November 19, 2025, when fire broke out at The Seminole Social, an off-campus apartment complex located on Ocala Road. Preet was one of the eight people who were injured in the blaze that “fully engulfed” a building in the area, according to WCTV.
According to the fundraiser launched by the Indian student’s friends, Preet is in critical condition, is “on a ventilator and requires continuous dialysis.” He was originally taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, but was eventually airlifted to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, where he remains in the ICU.
Given the severity of his condition, “doctors have had to make multiple incisions in his skin to relieve pressure and allow blood to circulate properly,” the GoFundMe page added. As a result, the fundraiser will help to build up medical expenses for Harsoda that may not be fully covered by insurance. It will also take care of long-term hospital and rehabilitation care, essential medication, follow-up treatments, and any unforeseen expenses linked to his recovery.
The funds will additionally help out in the travel, housing and daily living costs for his family, who will be coming from India in the hour of need.
“Preet came to the US with dreams of building a better future through education,” the fundraiser noted. “Overnight, his life has been turned upside down.” (Fundraiser link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-preet-harsoda-recover-from-severe-burns)
Other Indian students devastated by the fire
A third GoFundMe is focussed on raising $20,000 for 23-year-old Mohammad Aamir Hussain, “hardworking second-year Master’s student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Florida State University,” as per the fundraiser. It details how the Indian student ended up suffering severe third-degree burns to 48% of his body, as he was trying to escape the blaze.
“He lost consciousness during the chaos and was rescued with life-threatening injuries,” the page said. Aamir is currently “fighting through intense pain” in the UF Health Shands Burn Unit in Gainesville. (Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-aamir-recover-after-apartment-fire)
Another Indian student’s name emerging in the case is that of Sujan Swamy, who recalled escaping from the window of the apartment complex. He recently recounted the harrowing incident in his interaction with WCTV. “You got to burn yourself or kill yourself,” he said, adding, “jumping from the window is the only option.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, Swamy was also a Master of Science student at Florida State University. Even days after the blaze, he is afraid to go to sleep as traumatic memories leave him teary-eyed every night. The FSU student was left with a broken leg after the near-fatal incident, as the fire blocked the front door of his apartment. Swamy has now been forced to miss work, as he has been advised three months of bed rest.
How many students were impacted by the Florida apartment fire?
The American Red Cross initially reported that 72 adults, 1 baby and 4 pets had been displaced by the blazing tragedy. On top of that, the nonprofit disclosed that of those numbers, 53 were Florida State University students.
Florida State University officials especially highlighted the 90% of the injured or displaced victims of the Seminole fire were international students.
Additionally, the IATLH stated that at least 30 students were from India. They were “severely affected and are in urgent need of essentials including food, clothing, winter wear and other basic necessities.”
Among the several injured while escaping the fire, two students were left with broken legs, one with a back sprain, another with a neck injury, and one with a leg injury, according to the India Association of Tallahassee’s GoFundMe. (Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-relief-for-fsu-students-fromIndia-in-need)