A devastating fire at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, resulted in the tragic death of at least 24 people, including 9 children, on Saturday. The blaze, which engulfed the entire gaming facility, left several people trapped inside.
Emergency services responded quickly with four fire brigade vehicles dispatched to the scene to control the blaze and carry out rescue operations. The fire, which broke out in a temporary structure, had an unknown cause at the time of reporting.
Eyewitness accounts and visuals from the site showed intense firefighting efforts. Despite the swift response, the temporary structure's collapse and high wind velocity complicated the rescue and firefighting operations, according to Fire Officer IV Kher.
Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava confirmed the arrests of the manager and owner of the gaming zone, along with another individual, citing negligence as a probable cause for the tragic incident. Further investigation will commence following the completion of rescue operations.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized the importance of immediate treatment for the injured and instructed the Municipal Corporation and administrative authorities to prioritize rescue and relief efforts. Patel announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. Additionally, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep distress over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the injured. He assured that the local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected.
BJP leader and Gujarat MLA Darshita Shah remarked on the unprecedented nature of the incident in Rajkot's history and affirmed that the government's current priority is to save as many lives as possible before addressing further actions regarding the tragedy.
