On Saturday (25 May), a fire broke out at the TRP Game Zone in Rajkot, leading to a devastating loss of lives, with at least 33 casualties, including 9 children. The gaming center in Rajkot did not have a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from the fire department, and it had only one entry-exit route, which proved to be a fatal nay disastrous blunder.
The Gujarat High Court took suo motu cognizance of the fire tragedy, describing it as a man-made disaster and expressing shock at the loopholes in the Gujarat Comprehensive General Development Control Regulations that allowed for the operation of such recreational facilities.
Prima facie evidence points out that the gaming center was engulfed in flames within 30 minutes due to a spark originating from welding work in the extension area. This spark ignited plywood and wooden sheets, fueling the blaze. Despite efforts to prevent the fire, the absence of a robust fire safety system made the spread of fire inevitable.
In a terrible twist of fate, the same Saturday night another distressing fire accident took place at a childcare hospital in Vivek Vihar, East Delhi, claiming the lives of seven newborns. The fire, which broke at the hospital was worsened by the explosion of several oxygen cylinders, causing the blaze to spread to adjacent buildings. Several lapses in managing the hospital are now coming to light. The New Born Baby Care Hospital, approved for only five beds, had 12 infants at the time of the incident. The hospital was registered in 2021 and its license had expired in March 2024. The hospital was thus operating illegally at the time the fire occurred.
In 2019, a raid had been conducted at the hospital over allegations of operating without proper registration. The Vivek Vihar RWA (Resident Welfare Association) accused the hospital owners of running an unlawful oxygen cylinder refilling business. Police have confirmed that the hospital housed more than the authorized number of oxygen cylinders, contributing to the fire’s severity. The facility was found without fire extinguishers or an emergency exit. The doctor on duty during the incident was a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) graduate, unqualified to treat newborns requiring neonatal intensive care.
While the official inquiries constituted to probe the reasons behind these fire incidents will identify the exact source and circumstances that led to the fires, what must be also probed is – were any previous warnings or indicators overlooked. Were any regulations violated or neglected? Who was responsible for ensuring compliance with these safety norms? What penalties or actions are in place for non-compliance with the statutory safety norms? More importantly, what immediate steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence? How would future compliance with safety norms be ensured?
However, more than anything else, we must look at the steadily deteriorating sanctity of life in our country and the selective apathy we show for any loss of life.
The hazard of urbanization
In densely packed urban areas of India, devastating fires are the most predominant risks. According to the India Risk Surveys 2018, India ranks 3rd in fire incidents, especially in the Northern and Western regions of the country. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India witnessed 9,329 fire accidents in 2020, resulting in 468 injuries and 9,110 deaths, averaging 25 fire-related fatalities daily.
The impact of these incidents extends beyond the tragic loss of life, also causing significant property damage and economic loss. In 2020, residential building fires were responsible for 5,248 deaths, while fires in commercial buildings claimed 163 lives.
The leading causes of fires in India include electrical short circuits, bursting stoves or gas cylinders, human negligence, improper storage and use of flammable items, and the bypassing of fire safety norms. Despite recurring major fires with broad media coverage, flagrant violations of building and fire safety norms continue unabated, and fire accidents take place with alarming regularity.
India needs strong fire safety legislation with an effective audit mechanism conducted regularly to reduce the vulnerability of urban fires. Every urban local body must develop a fire hazard plan in partnership with the administration, fire brigade, and health department. Regular mock drills in public spaces should be conducted to facilitate awareness among the people and ensure a swift recovery from unforeseen fires.
Adherence to safety standards before receiving sanction for occupancy must include mandatory fire equipment like smoke detectors, fire hose cabinets, and automatic sprinkler systems. Proper enforcement of the National Building Code 2016 is required which will lead to the carrying out of vulnerability analysis in buildings. This will aid in preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Sanctity of Life in Islam
The concept of the sanctity of life is a fundamental tenet of Islam that is deeply embedded in its teachings. This principle emphasizes that every life is precious and deserving of respect and protection.
The Quran explicitly states, “Whoever slays a soul unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind; and he who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind.” (Quran 5:32)
Another verse that emphasizes the protection of life states: “And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right” (Quran 17:33).
In a Hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim).
When safety norms are thrown to the wind for the sake of cutting costs or making more profits, it means life has become cheaper than a few hundred currency notes. This is a moral problem and a disease of the heart that can only be solved and cured by inculcating the fear of God and belief in accountability in the Hereafter.
If only people heeded the warning – “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it (in the Hereafter). And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it (in the Hereafter).” (Quran 99: 7-8)