Rajkot Game Zone Fire: A massive fire broke out at a game zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, killing at least 33 people, most of them children. The incident has not only shaken the local population but has also raised many questions about the implementation of safety rules in public games and recreational facilities. Taking cognizance of the incident, the Gujarat High Court has described it as a “man-made disaster” and is probing the issue to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The gaming zone, called TRP, was packed with visitors due to a weekend discount offer with tickets priced at just ₹ 99. It is suspected that the fire might have started due to a short circuit, but officials said that the exact cause will be known only after a probe.
Officials said that the amusement centre was operating without a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance and also had just one exit.
This news article enumerates the details of the fire, the immediate response, and the ongoing investigation of Rajkot Game Zone Fire.
The Incident
A massive fire had broken out on that fateful Saturday at an indoor game zone in Rajkot. The fire has 33 people killed, including at least 24 children, and injured nine others. The TRP private amusement park/game zone that caught fire that left 33 people killed. The park did not have an NOC from the fire department. The fire is believed to have been caused by a short-circuit in the building’s electrification, leading to a collapse of a part of tin shed and trapping many people inside.
Structural Details
The game zone was situated in a two-story tin shed that was fitted with air conditioners. The structure was of nearly three-story height and around 50 meters wide and 60 meters long. It was made of tin that fast fueled the fire.
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Immediate Response and Casualties
The Gujarat government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional Director General of Police (CID-crime) Subhash Trivedi to inquire into the incident. The preliminary report has to be submitted within three days, and the final one has to be submitted within ten days.
Identification of Victims
Due to the severe burn injuries, the identification of the victims proved to be a challenging task. There were DNA samples of the victims and their relatives that were sent to the FSL in Gandhinagar in order to make the identification. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation released a list of 26 missing people, including at least seven minors.
Legal Actions and Arrests
A first information report has been lodged against six persons under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 336 (actendangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by actendangering life or personal safety of others), and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code Among the accused, two have been arrested, namely: Yuvrajsinh Solanki, co-owner of the park, and Nitin Jain, the park’s manager.
Government and Judicial Response High Court’s Action
The Gujarat High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident, observing prima facie negligence, and noting that the incident had occurred without the regular functioning of the seats and the park management providing the necessary assurance of the licenses and permissions for the operation of such entertainment facilities. A special bench comprising Justices Biren Vaishnav and Devan Desai reacted to the shock of the tragedy and sought a report from the state government and municipal corporations as to under which law such games zones are allowed to function.
Compensations Announcements
Gujarat Chief Minister for Bhupendra Patel announced a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 of those injured. Besides, the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of those who died in the incident and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Findings of Investigation
Initial investigations of Rajkot Game Zone Fire disclosed that the structure in which the game zone was established was made using metal sheet fabrication technology without making any provision for firefighting installations. Not having a NOC from the local fire department was also a major reason behind the disaster. The operators of this facility, despite knowing in full well the associated dangers, did not put in place the necessary prerequisites, thereby putting the lives of so many people in danger.
Role of the Authorities
The investigation has been set into motion following the High Court’s strongly worded order against municipal corporations in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot to explain the legal basis for the operation of such units. The investigation expects to know how these units were set up and continued their operation without meeting essential safety requirements.
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The larger picture
The Rajkot game zone fire is not an isolated incident. Instead, it exists in series of such incidents in the country. The tragedy has called for much stricter enforcement of safety regulations and accountability for lapses. Also, in this respect, the approval process for establishing recreational facilities should be thoroughly re-examined to avoid a repeat of such incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The tragic Rajkot game zone fire is the worst example of the impact of neglecting fire safety. Surely, authorities should now ensure that the people responsible should be brought to justice and the guarantees should be made for systemic changes that should prevent this incident from happening again.
The death of 33 individuals is a wake-up call that public safety cannot be taken lightly, and there has to be a regime in place that firmly safeguards the well-being of individuals from such disasters in any form of recreational facility. Surely, the safety measures in the state would be witnessing a sea change after this Rajkot fire incident. Basically, it is a call to the authorities, the operators of the facility, and even the community to rise up and put in place all the safety measures necessary while avoiding such incidences in future.
For more details on the fire visit The Logic Stick