📷 Image Credits: NDTV
The tragic incident at a gaming site in Gujarat’s Rajkot that claimed the lives of 28 people, including nine children, has left the nation in shock. A CCTV footage that has been widely circulated on social media shows that the massive blaze started while welding work was in progress at the facility.
Preliminary investigations indicate that sparks emitted during the welding ignited a pile of plastic materials nearby, leading to the devastating fire. Despite the frantic efforts by workers on site, the flames quickly spread, engulfing the entire area.
The lack of proper fire safety measures at the gaming zone has raised serious concerns. The facility reportedly had only one emergency exit, which proved insufficient when the fire broke out, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
Authorities have taken swift action following the incident. A police case has been filed against six partners of the game zone for operating without a license. Two individuals, including the owner and the manager of the site, have been arrested for their alleged negligence in ensuring fire safety protocols.
The Special Bench of the Gujarat High Court has also intervened in the matter, terming it a ‘man-made disaster’ due to the alleged lack of proper approvals for operation. Reports suggest that the gaming zone stored highly inflammable materials without the necessary clearances from regulatory bodies.
To prevent such tragedies in the future, the state police chief has ordered inspections of all game zones in the state. Any establishment found operating without the required fire safety permissions will be shut down immediately.
A Special Investigation Team has been formed to delve deeper into the incident and submit a comprehensive report within the next 72 hours. The authorities are working tirelessly to ensure accountability and prevent such incidents from occurring again in the future.
