2024 Rajkot gaming zone fire
{{Short description|Gaming zone fire in Rajkot}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| image = 2024 Rajkot gaming zone fire.jpg
| caption = Still from a video showing the fire
| date = 25 May 2024
| location = Rajkot, India
| coordinates = {{coord|22|16|22.02|N|70|45|56.98|E}}
| type = Building fire
| reported deaths = 33+
| missing = 26+
}}
On 25 May 2024, a fire broke out at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, India, killing 33 people.{{cite news |title=9 Children Among 27 Dead In Massive Fire At Gaming Zone In Gujarat's Rajkot a cause of the great fire was welding sparks initiated by a reckless employee named Amansh Bhalodia.|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fire-breaks-out-at-gaming-zone-in-gujarats-rajkot-casualties-feared-cops-5744212 |work=NDTV |date=26 May 2024}}
Background
{{Single source|date=May 2025|section}}
The amusement park was built in 2024 in temporary structures that had tin roofs and two floors. There were insufficient fire extinguishers and emergency exits in the buildings according to reports. The building also did not possess the required certification from the fire department.{{Cite news|title=Rajkot gaming zone lacked fire department permit, had only one exit|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-rajkot-gaming-zone-fire-noc-clearance-lack-entry-exit-route-several-killed-latest-news-top-updates-2543981-2024-05-26|access-date=2024-05-26|website=India Today}}
Incident
{{More sources|section|small=y|date=May 2025}}
On the evening of 25 May, a fire started on the ground floor of the two-story building. The fire was reportedly caused when some welding work was being carried out and quickly spread into surrounding areas due to the already high temperature in the areas. Furthermore, there was only one exit in the first floor. Nearly 2,000 litres of diesel was stored at the TRP Game Zone for generators, while 1,000 to 1,500 litres of petrol was stored for go-kart racing, which made the fire almost uncontrollable. There were around 70 to 80 people at the time of fire.{{Cite news|title=Rajkot Gaming Zone Had Just One Exit, Was Running Without Fire License|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajkot-fire-live-updates-no-fire-license-one-exit-major-safety-violations-at-rajkot-game-zone-5747655|access-date=2024-05-26|website=NDTV}}
The fire resulted in the deaths of at least 33 people including nine children and another 26 people still missing.{{Cite news|title=Rajkot Fire Live Updates{{!}} 'Such gaming zones significant threat to public safety': Gujarat HC takes suo motu cognisance of fire incident|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajkot-game-zone-fire-live-updates-9351818/|access-date=2024-05-26|website=Indian express}}
Investigation
The government of Gujarat formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the fire incident.{{cite news |last1=Kshatriya |first1=Dilip Singh |date=26 May 2024 |title=Gujarat: 27, including children, killed in Rajkot gaming zone fire accident |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/May/25/at-least-24-killed-in-massive-fire-at-gaming-zone-in-gujarats-rajkot |work=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=RAJKOT FIRE TRAGEDY : A TECHNICAL OVERVIEW |url=https://firesafeworld.com/rajkot-fire-tragedy-a-technical-overview/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Fire Safe World |language=en-US}} The SIT, led by Additional Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi, was tasked with submitting a report within 72 hours and commenced its inquiry promptly upon arrival in Rajkot. Initial investigations revealed that the fire originated from sparks during welding work, which ignited flammable materials stored nearby.{{Cite web |title=Rajkot game zone fire: What led to the 'man-made disaster' that killed 27? |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/rajkot-game-zone-fire-what-led-to-the-man-made-disaster-that-killed-27-124052700507_1.html}} The gaming zone was operating without the necessary fire safety permits and lacked adequate emergency exits.{{Cite web |title=4 Officials Arrested In Rajkot Gaming Zone Tragedy, Fire Chief Questioned |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/4-officials-arrested-in-rajkot-gaming-zone-tragedy-fire-chief-questioned-5782073 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=NDTV |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Rajkot Game Zone Fire That Killed 27 Is Man-Made Disaster: Gujarat High Court |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajkot-game-zone-fire-that-killed-27-is-man-made-disaster-gujarat-high-court-5748411 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=NDTV |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-26 |title=Gujarat HC takes suo motu cognizance of Rajkot game zone fire, calls it 'man-made disaster' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/gujarat-hc-takes-suo-motu-cognizance-of-rajkot-game-zone-fire-calls-it-man-made-disaster/articleshow/110436485.cms |access-date=2025-05-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-27 |title=Rajkot fire: Gujarat High Court fumes, says 'We don’t trust state government now' |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/gujarat-rajkot-game-zone-fire-high-court-were-you-asleep-we-dont-trust-government-anymore-2544268-2024-05-27 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=India Today |language=en}}
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against six partners of the gaming zone on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Subsequently, the owner and manager were arrested, and FIRs were registered against six employees. As the investigation progressed, the number of accused increased to 11, with nine individuals arrested. One of the accused, Prakash Hiran, was found deceased in the fire.{{Cite web |title=Rajkot Game Zone Fire: Probe Team Cites "Serious Negligence" By Officials, Owners |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rajkot-game-zone-fire-probe-team-cites-serious-negligence-by-officials-owners-5809141 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=NDTV |language=en}} The Gujarat High Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident, describing it as a "man-made disaster." The court observed that such gaming zones and recreational facilities had been established without requisite approvals from competent authorities. It directed municipal corporations to provide information on the legal provisions under which these establishments were permitted to operate.
In response to the incident, the Gujarat government suspended nine officials, including the Chief Fire Officer and other municipal personnel, citing gross negligence in allowing the gaming zone to operate without necessary approvals. Additionally, four government officials, including town planning officers and a former fire station officer, were arrested in connection with the tragedy.
Aftermath
Following the incident, the Gujarat DGP instructed all gaming zones in the state to be inspected and close those operating without fire safety permits. It also directed police to conduct the procedure in coordination with municipal fire officers.{{Cite news|title=Rajkot Fire Live Updates{{!}} 'Such gaming zones significant threat to public safety': Gujarat HC takes suo motu cognisance of fire incident|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rajkot-game-zone-fire-live-updates-9351818/|access-date=2024-05-26|website=Indian express}}
The Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel announced an ex gratia of ₹400,000 to the kin of each of the dead and ₹50,000 to each injured.{{cite news |date=26 May 2024 |title=Rajkot gaming zone fire: 'Shocked' Gujarat high court takes suo motu cognizance. 'Man-made disaster…' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajkot-gaming-zone-fire-gujarat-high-court-takes-suo-motu-cognizance-trp-game-zone-101716705893044.html |work=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-26 |title=Rajkot game zone fire: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to kin of deceased |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/rajkot-game-zone-fire-pm-modi-announces-rs-2-lakh-ex-gratia-to-kin-of-deceased/articleshow/110440812.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-05-22 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} He also visited the scene of the fire and met with victims of the disaster in hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and prayers for the victims.{{Cite news |title=Bodies of 27 'burnt beyond recognition' after a massive fire in Indian amusement park, relatives say |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-distraught-relatives-fire-amusement-park-fire-8662fcb08cf3e5c5d8230ce8fc1ed806 |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=Associated Press}} Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating on X that he was "extremely distressed" by the disaster. He also announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.{{Cite web |title=PM Modi expresses grief at loss of lives in Rajkot fire tragedy |url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/pm-modi-expresses-grief-at-loss-of-lives-in-rajkot-fire-tragedy/1531806 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Press Trust Of India }}{{Cite web |title=PM Modi expresses grief at loss of lives in Gujarat's Rajkot fire tragedy |url=https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/pm-modi-expresses-grief-at-loss-of-lives-in-gujarat-s-rajkot-fire-tragedy-124052501271_1.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240719231227/https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/pm-modi-expresses-grief-at-loss-of-lives-in-gujarat-s-rajkot-fire-tragedy-124052501271_1.html |archive-date=2024-07-19 |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=Business Standard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-25 |title=PM Modi ‘extremely distressed’ after Rajkot fire, condolences pour in |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fire-mishap-in-rajkot-pm-modi-tributes-9351946/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-27 |title=Rajkot game zone fire: PM announces compensation of Rs 2 Lakh for kin of deceased |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/rajkot-game-zone-fire-pm-announces-compensation-of-rs-2-lakh-for-kin-of-deceased-9353656/ |access-date=2025-05-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-26 |title=Rajkot game zone fire: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to kin of deceased |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/rajkot-game-zone-fire-pm-modi-announces-rs-2-lakh-ex-gratia-to-kin-of-deceased/articleshow/110440812.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-05-22 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}