A horrifying blaze in Rajkot has claimed 28 lives so far, including several children. A witness recounts how a ordinary fire escalated in minutes, creating a scene of panic and chaos.
Tea vendor Mahesh Bharwad near the gaming zone narrated, 'I was there when it happened, serving tea. We heard blasts, and at around 5:35 pm, a small fire grew monstrous in just five minutes. We tried helping people down from the aluminum shed, but the height led to injuries.'
Fire brigade arrived 15 minutes post ignition
Mahesh added, 'We tried rescuing some, but three got injured due to the height. We cut the electric supply immediately. Most employees of the gaming zone are safe. Fire services arrived within 15 minutes.'
Five members of a family are unaccounted for
Family patriarch Chandrasingh Jadeja reports, 'Out of seven family members present, two are safe, one is hospitalized, and five are missing. DNA samples collected.'
Source: aajtak
Lack of fire safety measures in the gaming zone
Chandrasingh Jadeja lamented, 'No fire safety provisions were in place. The CM visited but left. We spoke with the state minister Harsh Sanghvi. The government can do little now; we've lost our own.'
Gaming zone patrons were required to sign a form
Jadeja revealed, 'We searched 25 hospitals overnight but found none. Patrons had to sign a form absolving the zone of responsibility in case of harm.'
Six people charged in FIR
The FIR registered at Rajkot Taluka Police Station holds owners and managers of the zone accountable. IPC sections 304, 308, 337, 338, and 114 are invoked.
