At least 25 people, including nine children, have died after a massive fire broke out at a gaming zone in Rajkot in Gujarat on Saturday evening. The blaze erupted at a temporary structure at the TRP game zone and among the victims were children who were present at the spot due to ongoing summer vacation.


Officials said that efforts are underway to control the blaze and rescue those trapped inside. Three persons have been rescued so far. 


The blaze erupted at around 4:15 pm at a fibre dome for gaming activities and several persons including children were playing games when the blaze erupted.






Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi said that a call was received by the control room at 4:15 pm and the fire brigades and ambulances were immediately rushed. 






"Around 4.15 pm, the control room received a call about a fire in Game Zone. Immediately fire brigades and ambulances were sent to the site. Smoke is still coming out from the building. 16 deaths have been confirmed till now," Rajkot Collector Prabhav Joshi said.


Rajkot Municipal Commissioner Anand Patel said that the immediate focus of the administration is on relief and rescue operations.








PM Modi And CM Bhupendra Patel React 


Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is extremely distressed by the fire mishap in Rajkot. "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the injured. The local administration is working to provide all possible assistance to those affected," PM Modi said in a post on X.



President Droupadi Murmu said she is deeply anguished to learn of the loss in the fire incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those rescued. 

 

"I am deeply anguished to learn of the loss of lives in a fire accident at a gaming zone in Rajkot, Gujarat. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their near and dear ones including young children. I pray to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of those being rescued," President Murmu said.

 

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted that the city administration has been instructed to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations at the game zone.







"Instructions have been given to the Municipal Corporation and the administration for immediate rescue and relief operations in the fire incident in the game zone in Rajkot. It has been instructed to prioritise arrangements for immediate treatment of the injured," Patel tweeted.


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his 'deepest' condolences to all the bereaved families and urged the Congress workers to provide all possible assistance to the administration in relief and rescue work.


"The news of the death of many people including innocent children due to a massive fire in the gaming zone of a mall in Rajkot, Gujarat is very painful. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I hope that all the injured recover as soon as possible... And, it is expected from the Gujarat government and administration that they should conduct a detailed and impartial investigation of this incident and provide speedy justice to all the bereaved families," he said in a post on X.






Calling it a sad incident, BJP MLA Darshita Shah said the rescue team is trying its best to save as many people as possible and the government will take action on the matter.   


"A very sad incident has happened in Rajkot today. This is the first time in the history of Rajkot that children have lost their lives due to a fire in a game zone. The rescue team is trying its best to save as many people as possible. The government will take action on the matter but right now the priority is to save as many people as possible," Darshita Shah said.