Massive Fire at Family Entertainment Venue in Rajkot Kills 27

File: Photo

Rajkot, India — A devastating fire swept through a popular family entertainment venue in Rajkot, claiming the lives of 27 individuals and leaving several others injured. The incident occurred late Saturday evening, causing widespread panic and chaos as families and children struggled to escape the inferno.

The blaze broke out at around 7:30 PM at the FunWorld amusement park, packed with visitors enjoying a weekend outing. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke billowing from the main building before flames rapidly engulfed the structure. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit.

Emergency services responded quickly, with fire engines and ambulances rushing to the scene. Despite their efforts, the fire spread quickly, complicating rescue operations. Many of the victims were trapped inside the building, unable to escape the fast-moving flames. Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before finally bringing it under control late into the night.

Rajkot's Fire Chief, Ashok Patel, described the scene as "heart-wrenching," noting the difficulty in navigating the crowded and chaotic environment. "Our teams worked hard to save as many lives as we could, but the fire was very intense and made it difficult," he said.

Local hospitals have been inundated with the injured, many of whom are in critical condition. Authorities have set up an emergency response center to assist families in locating their loved ones and provide support to those affected by the tragedy.

The Gujarat state government has announced a full investigation into the incident and has pledged to provide compensation to the families of the victims. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his condolences, stating, "We are very sad about this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this hard time."

In the wake of the disaster, questions are being raised about the safety standards and emergency preparedness of entertainment venues in the region. Residents and officials alike are calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

As the community mourns the loss of lives, vigils, and memorial services are being organized across Rajkot, with citizens coming together to support one another in the aftermath of this horrific event.