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Mumbai: Fire kills 27, including 4 children Fire engulfs a crowded amusement park in IndiaPolice said rescue crews searched the scene on Sunday (May 26), the morning after the fire.
Indian media reported on Sunday that survivors said the fire swept through the city center, which was packed with young people playing games such as bowling, and they had to kick in doors and jump out of windows to escape.
In Rajkot, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, rows of bodies covered with white cloth were laid out and then taken away.
Police said the four children reported dead were all under the age of 12 and warned that many of the bodies were badly burned and difficult to identify.
More than 300 people were enjoying the summer holiday weekend inside the two-storey building of TRP Amusement Theme Park when the fire broke out on Saturday night, Rajkot fire official Ilesh Kerr told reporters on the night of the fire.
“As temporary buildings near the entrance of the facility collapsed, people were trapped and it was difficult to get out,” he said.
He added that the fire spread quickly as the building was made of flammable materials.
‘Trying to escape’
Senior police officer Radhika Bharai told reporters overnight: “We have confirmed that 27 people have died in the fire,” the previous death toll was 24.
“The body was burnt beyond recognition, making identification difficult.”
Other officials warned that the death toll could rise further.
Survivors recalled their terror as they struggled to escape the fire.
“We were bowling when two staff members told us that there was fire on the first floor and we should leave. Soon, smoke filled the entire area,” Pruthvirajsinh Jadeja told The Indian Express.
“We tried to escape through the back door but failed. I saw a beam of light outside. I kicked down the metal sheet and the five of us jumped out from the first floor.”
Jadeja added that at least 70 people, including children, were on the first floor when the fire broke out.
An Instagram page that appears to belong to the facility advertises it as an amusement theme park that offers a variety of entertainment activities such as trampolines, go-karts, bowling and paintball.
Officials said at least four people were detained for questioning.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, said on social media that he was “extremely saddened by the fire”.
Fires are common in India due to poor building construction, overcrowding and failure to follow safety regulations.
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