Rajkot Fire Tragedy Claims Three Lives, One Injured in Deadly Blaze
The tragic incident occurred in the lobby of Block-D at Atlantis Society, a 12-storey residential complex. According to reports, the three deceased were men who had entered the building to deliver goods, while the lone survivor, a woman, was a domestic worker in the building.
The Rajkot Fire and Emergency Services (RFES) received an emergency call at 10:17 am, and firefighters swiftly responded to the scene. Station Fire Officer shared that it took around an hour and a half to contain the fire, which had spread across the sixth floor lobby. Zala confirmed that the fire had originated in a section of the lobby between Blocks C and D, where design work was underway. Despite the intense flames, the rescue operations managed to evacuate more than 35 people without any injuries.
Of the three lives lost in the blaze, two were cousins. Initially, it was assumed they were workers involved in the design work on the sixth floor. However, further investigations revealed that Kalpesh was a Blinkit delivery partner, and Mayur had accompanied him on a parcel delivery to the 10th floor. The third victim, was a Swiggy delivery agent who had been assigned to deliver food on the eighth floor of the building. Tragically, the fire claimed their lives before they could escape.
A domestic worker in Block-C, was the only survivor. She had been heading to the eighth floor of Block-D to visit her sister-in-law, also a domestic worker. She suffered minor injuries but is expected to recover. Police officials confirmed that she is now out of danger.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) suggested that the fire may have been caused by an electrical overload in the junction box located in the sixth-floor lobby. A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) have been assigned to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident. As of now, it remains uncertain whether the fire was accidental or a result of electrical failure.
The firefighting operation involved five vehicles, four ambulances, and 54 personnel. Fire officials confirmed that, contrary to initial reports, no firefighters were injured during the operation. The police have filed an Accidental Death (AD) report at the Malaviya Nagar police station, and the post-mortem reports have confirmed that the three men died as a result of burns. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the risks posed by inadequate safety measures in high-rise buildings, particularly in areas where work is being carried out. With the ongoing investigation, authorities are expected to address the safety concerns that may have contributed to this unfortunate loss of life. Meanwhile, the residents of Rajkot are left grappling with the emotional toll of this deadly fire, as they await answers and hope for stronger building safety regulations in the future.
