The two-storey gaming zone of the TRP amusement and theme park in Gujarat’s Rajkot city, where a massive fire killed at least 35 people, did not have proper licences to run the place. Any record of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance was also not found, according to official sources.
At least 35 persons, including 12 children, were killed in a massive fire that swept through a game zone teeming with people enjoying a summer vacation outing in Gujarat’s Rajkot city on Saturday evening.
The place was inundated with crowds because of a weekend scheme offering discounted tickets at Rs 99. The intensity of the fire was so fierce that smoke was seen billowing from the shopping mall from a long distance.
As per sources, the facility had only one gate, 6 to 7 feet in height, for entry and exit. It also had a stock of 1500-2000 litres of diesel to run generators and around 1000-1500 litres of petrol for go-karting, making it a fire hazard.
Rajkot mayor Nayna Pedhadiya on Saturday said that the administration will launch an investigation as to how such a big gaming zone was functioning without proper licencing.
It is suspected that the fire might have started due to a short circuit. The state government has, meanwhile, assigned the probe to a Special Investigation Team.
Quoting a fire department official, news agency IANS reported, “The reason for the fire has yet to be ascertained. The attempts to douse the fire are underway. We are facing difficulty in the firefighting operation because the temporary structure has collapsed and also due to the wind velocity.”
As per the report, the death toll has climbed to 35, including 12 children who died in the blaze.
Sources said the owner of the amusement park has been arrested. Yesterday, police detained the owner of the TRP Game Zone and the manager.
Compensation Packages Announced
Meanwhile, the state government has announced a compensation package of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for every injured person.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his condolences and assured swift action.
In a post on X, he said: “The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. In this regard, a Special Investigation Team has been formed and assigned to investigate the incident.
“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 prioritise arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured.”
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