- By Vivek Raj
- Sun, 26 May 2024 07:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Rajkot Game Zone Fire: Following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 27 individuals, including four children, in a massive fire at a gaming arcade in Gujarat's Rajkot on Saturday evening, preliminary investigations suggest that welding work might have sparked the blaze. Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava revealed that fabrication work was underway at the site, and the fire likely originated from welding activities.
“Prima facie, the investigation conducted by the FSL officials and the information given to us by the fire officer after inspecting the site, it seems that some fabrication work was going on there and in that fabrication work, the fire might have started due to welding work,” Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava said.
Bhargava highlighted the presence of highly flammable materials within the gaming zone, exacerbating the rapid spread of the fire throughout the premises. While 27 bodies have been recovered from the site, additional remains have also been discovered, indicating a potential death toll of around 28.
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It has come to light that TRP Game Zone, where the fire occurred, had submitted documentation for fire safety equipment to obtain the necessary fire NOC (No Objection Certificate). However, the process was still underway at the time of the incident, as reported by news agency PTI.
The Gujarat High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the fire, categorising it as a "man-made disaster." The court has noted the emergence of gaming zones and recreational facilities without requisite approvals from competent authorities and is set to hear the case on Monday.
In response to the incident, the Rajkot Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against six partners of the game zone on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. While two individuals have been apprehended, the remaining partners are currently absconding.
Among the accused are Dhaval Thakkar of Dhaval Corporation, and partners of Raceway Enterprise - Ashoksinh Jadeja, Kiritsinh Jadeja, Prakashchand Hiran, Yuvrajsinh Solanki, and Rahul Rathod. Solanki, a partner in Raceway Enterprise, has been arrested, along with the facility's manager Nitin Jain.
The accused face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code related to culpable homicide, attempt to cause hurt and endangering the safety of others.
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The state government has promised compensation of Rs 4 lakh for each deceased's family and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Additionally, govt has formed SIT, headed by additional DG (CID, Crime) Subhash Trivedi and has been asked to submit its report to the state government within 72 hours. The investigation will focus on determining how and why the fire started.
Earlier today, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi went to meet the injured