28, Including 9 Children Dead In Massive Fire At Gaming Zone In Gujarat’s Rajkot

Rajkot: A massive fire ripped through a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat, on Saturday evening, claiming the lives of 28 people, including nine children.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinayak Patel, the victims’ bodies were found charred, making identification challenging. The owners of the gaming zone have been taken into custody by the police.

Expressing sorrow over the incident, MLA Darshita Shah termed it unprecedented in Rajkot’s history and emphasized rescue efforts. She assured that the government would take action against those responsible for negligence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences, pledging support for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu extended prayers for the swift recovery of the victims.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed officials to prioritise medical care for the injured and announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased. He visited the site this morning.

Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava identified the gaming zone’s owner as Yuvraj Singh Solanki.

While the cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation, fire brigade personnel are working to extinguish the flames. Efforts are hindered by the collapse of the temporary structure and high wind velocity.

Once the fire is under control, authorities will assess the casualties and investigate the cause further. As a precautionary measure, all gaming zones in the city have been instructed to cease operations temporarily.