Rajkot: On Saturday, May 25, a deadly fire broke out in Rajkot's TRP Gaming Zone that claimed the lives of at least 35 people, including nine children. Several others sustained critical injuries. In the recent development into the incident, after owner Yuvraj Singh, three more arrests were reportedly made including the manager, supervisor and another key member. However, the Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava revealed that an FIR was registered against six people and two were arrested.

Furthermore, the police are actively searching for other key staff members. Parents have claimed that their kids are still missing. The police are investigating the matter to identify the cause behind the fire and are still searching for those missing. Bodies of the deceased were charred beyond recognition, so it is difficult to identify the dead and DNA tests were carried out for the same. Stay tuned in with Republic for all the latest updates.

Here are the updates:

Accused endangered lives of people: FIR

The accused erected a 50-metre wide and 60-metre long structure with the height of around a two-three storey building using metal sheet fabrication to create a game zone at the TRF Mall in Rajkot, says the FIR. The report also said they did not have proper fire-fighting equipment and had not obtained the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the local fire department. (PTI inputs)

• DNA samples collected: Police Commissioner

"Twenty-seven DNA samples have been sent. The report will come in 36 to 48 hours...We extracted DNA samples from the bone marrow...," confimed Rajkot Police Commissioner Raju Bhargava.

• Rajkot game zone fire: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia to kin of deceased

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Office has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM's National Relief Fund for the family of the deceased in the Rajkot Gaming Zone fire incident. The injured persons would be given Rs 50,000 each.

• FIR Against 6 People, 2 Arrested

On the TRP Gaming Zone firing incident, Raju Bhargava, Police Commissioner, Rajkot said today, "An FIR was registered against six people under IPC sections 304, 308, 336, 338, 114. Out of which two people have been arrested. The Crime Branch team is working to arrest others. Our effort is to complete the investigation as soon as possible and file a charge sheet in the case..."

• Death Toll Rises to 35

The death toll in the Rajkot TRP Gaming Zone fire accident has risen to 35. 

• Republic Accesses 'Undertaking Form' of TRP Game Zone:

The Republic Media Network on Sunday, May 26, was able to access the undertaking form of ther Rajkot gaming zone signed by the people present there.

As per the undertaking form, if any kind of accident happens here and even if the customers die, then it will be their responsibility.

"By signing this document, you will waive certain legal rights including the right to sue! In consideration of TRP Go-Karts & paintball permitting me to participate in its activities, permitting me the use of its Equipment and permitting me the use of its facilities, I hereby release TRP Go-Karts & paintball, its members, agents, employees, successors, or assigns, from any and all liability, claims demand, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, whether foreseen or unforeseen, arising out of or related in any way to my renting and operating a TRP Go-Karts & paintball that may result ininjury, death or property damage or loss or other damages to me or my family, estate, heirs, or assigns, And further to save and hold harmless TRP Go-Karts & paintball, it's members, agents, employees, successors or assigns, from all liability whatsoever for personal injury, property damage or loss or wrongful death caused by its negligence," the form read. 

• Gujarat HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance:

The Gujarat High Court on Sunday took suo motu cognizance of the fire incident at TRP Game Zone in Rajkot.  The matter will be heard tomorrow when the Gujarat High Court might issue a directive on the game zone.

Furthermore, the President's proposal to take suo moto strict action against those responsible proposed to take action against negligent owners in the game, ANI reported.

• 'Had Only One Exit'

As per the information available, the TRP gaming zone only had one route used as 'both entry and exit.' Furthermore, thousands of litres of petrol and diesel were stored in various pockets of the gaming zone, which caused the fire to spread fast and resulted in burning the entire structure down.

• Republic Confronts Rajkot ADM on Murderous Lapses:

On Sunday, Republic Media Network confronted the Additional Magistrate asking about where the toll stands as no official statement has been given yet. Additionally, when asked about who is responsible for this mishap, the ADM remained silent and did not respond to the questions. 

• President Murmu Expresses Grief

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, May 26, expressed grief on the Rajkot fire incident and said, "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."

• CM Bhupendra Patel Reaches Fire Site

On Sunday, May 26, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi reached the TRP fire zone to take stock of the situation after the massive fire broke out yesterday.

• 3 More Arrested, 7 Detained

The manager, Supervisor and one more key staff member at the Gaming Zone have been arrested. The owner, Yuvraj was held on Saturday. The hunt for other key members is underway, while the police have detained seven people. 

• SIT Holds Meeting; DNA Samples Collected For Identification:

On early Sunday, members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) held a meeting with the local administration. The five-member SIT formed by the Gujarat government, to conduct a thorough probe into the incident, submitted a report within 72 hours, and held a meeting with the local administration.

Additionally, the head of SIT, Director General of Police Subhash Trivedi, told reporters that the inquiry will begin immediately to find out those responsible for it and ensure no such incident is repeated in the future.

"We will go through all the aspects of the incident and investigate them thoroughly...We will work with commitment and complete honesty and integrity to provide justice to the children who have lost their lives," he said.

As the bodies were charred beyond recognition. The DNA samples of the bodies and the victim's relatives have been collected for identification of the deceased, officials said.

Four children under the age of 12 were among the 27 persons killed in the massive fire that swept through a game zone teeming with people enjoying a summer vacation outing on Saturday evening, officials added.

• Rs 4 Lakh Compensation Announced by Guj CM

In a post on X, CM Patel announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of the victims and informed the public that a special investigation team has been formed to look into the case.

"The fire tragedy in Rajkot is heart-wrenching. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. It is crucial to ensure such an incident does not happen again," it read.

• PM Modi, EAM and Other Leaders Pay Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

"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 said in a tweet on X.

EAM Dr S Jaishankar:

"Deeply grieved at the loss of lives in the terrible fire in Rajkot. Our thoughts are very much with all those impacted by this tragedy," Jaishankar said in the post. 

• Major Glaring Lapses Come to the Fore

Amid the major fire that broke out in the TRP Gaming Zone, preliminary investigations revealed that although fire equipment was present at the mall and the gaming zone, it was not in working condition. Additionally, the equipment was new and had not been used, the Chief Fire Officer told Republic.

The senior official added that the gaming zone was built under a tin shed and no fire safety protocol was followed at the mall and the gaming zone.

During the investigations, it was also found that the TRP Mall gaming zone was a temporary structure made operational for this purpose. Meanwhile, it was also revealed no permission was granted for the gaming zone to operate rides and no application was ever submitted to Fire Services, Rajkot, so the operations were illegal.