A fire at the TRP gaming zone in Rajkot on Saturday evening resulted in the death of at least 30 people, including nine children. Officials revealed that the amusement centre was operating without a fire clearance no-objection certificate (NOC) and had only one exit. The fire broke out during a weekend discount event, with tickets priced at ₹99, attracting a large crowd.
The fire was reportedly caused by welding work. The four-year-old sprawling amusement park was built in temporary structures with tin roofs and two floors. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi took stock of the situation at the TRP game zone in Rajkot on May 26. Members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) met with the local administration in Gujarat’s Rajkot city.
The bodies were charred beyond recognition. The DNA samples of the bodies and the victim’s relatives have been collected for identification of the deceased, they said. The State government has constituted a probe team to ascertain whether the game zone had the necessary licenses from the authorities.
As per reports, preliminary suspicions suggest a short circuit may have ignited the blaze, but the exact cause remains under investigation. A fire department official noted that firefighting efforts were hindered by the collapse of the temporary structure and strong winds.
The fire’s intensity was so severe that smoke could be seen from several kilometres away, and the bodies were charred beyond recognition. DNA samples from the victims and their relatives have been collected for identification.
According to reports, the gaming zone did not possess the necessary licenses to operate, and there was no record of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for fire clearance from the Rajkot Municipal Corporation. This lack of regulatory compliance has come under sharp scrutiny following the disaster.
Rajkot Mayor Nayna Pedhadiya, present at the scene to oversee rescue operations, confirmed the gaming zone lacked a fire NOC. She said, “We will investigate how such a large gaming zone operated without a fire NOC, and we are now seeing the tragic consequences. There will be no political interference in this matter.”
The facility had only one emergency exit, leading to panic when the fire broke out. Rajkot fire officer ILESH Kher explained that a temporary structure collapsed near the entrance, trapping people inside and complicating evacuation efforts. Both the owner and manager of the TRP game zone have been arrested for questioning.
In response to the tragedy, the state director general of police has ordered police commissioners and superintendents to inspect all gaming zones in Gujarat and shut down those lacking fire safety permits. The DGP emphasized that this inspection should be carried out in coordination with municipal fire officers to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
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