3 girls killed in Rajkot fire; CM orders probe, compensation

Rajkot, Jan 13 (PTI) Three teenage girls died and 15others were injured after a fire broke out during a religiousevent near Rajkot.The incident t...

Rajkot, Jan 13 (PTI) Three teenage girls died and 15others were injured after a fire broke out during a religiousevent near Rajkot.

The incident took place at the "Rashtra Katha Shibir"(camp) in Pransla village of the district last night.

"The blaze erupted in the camp's women section and spreadrapidly, killing three persons," District Collector VikrantPandey said.

A short-circuit may have led to the fire. Aninvestigation was on to ascertain the cause, Pandey said.

A team of National Disaster Response Force and FireBrigade personnel rescued several people from the site, Pandeyadded.

Rajkot (Rural) Superintendent of Police Antrip Sood saidthe deceased were teenage girls. About 15 people suffered burninjuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced Rs 4 lakh ascompensation to the family of each of the deceased.

He expressed grief over the incident and directed theRajkot Collector to order an inquiry into the fire, agovernment statement said today.

The camp was being organised by spiritual leader SwamiDharmabandhuji.

Dharmabandhuji, who has been conducting the shibir forthe past 20 years, said he was pained by the tragedy, whichhappened on the last day of the 10-day event.

The event draws prominent personalities. This year,Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Gujarat Chief MinisterVijay Rupani attended the camp. PTI VJA KA PD BNMGVS.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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