Rajkot: A devastating fire engulfed a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, claiming the lives of at least twenty-seven individuals, including children, on Saturday evening.
Authorities swiftly responded to the catastrophe, with an FIR filed in connection to the incident. Police have apprehended Rajkot Game Zone manager Nitin Jain and Game Zone partner Yuvraj Singh Solanki for questioning.
In response to the tragedy, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly probe the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargav briefed the media, stating, “Fire broke out in the TRP gaming zone in the afternoon. The rescue operations are on. The fire is under control. We are trying to retrieve as many bodies as possible.”
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Offering additional insights, Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi clarified later in the evening (according to the local time zone), stating, “We had received the call at around 4.30 pm… The temporary structure in the gaming zone had collapsed. The fire was controlled around 2 hours ago. The debris is being removed… We are in constant touch with the CM.”
In response to the incident, Gujarat’s Director General of Police directed an inspection of all children’s game zones across the state. Zones operating without valid fire NOCs and safety equipment have been ordered to cease operations immediately, amid allegations that the TRP gaming zone lacked proper fire safety measures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed their condolences and concern over the tragedy. PM Modi tweeted, “Extremely distressed by the fire mishap in Rajkot. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured.”
CM Patel instructed immediate rescue and relief operations, stating, “Instructions have been given to the Municipal Corporation and the administration for immediate rescue and relief operations in the fire incident in the game zone in Rajkot. It has been instructed to prioritize arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured.”
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Additionally, CM Patel announced compensation for the affected families, stating, “The fire tragedy in Rajkot is heart-wrenching. I express my heartfelt condolences to the persons who lost their lives in this incident and their families. I pray to God for speedy recovery of the injured. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.”
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi pledged swift action, emphasizing, “Any kind of negligence will not be entertained in this event. In this regard, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed and assigned to investigate the entire incident.”
