Dabwali, Haryana, December 23, 1995: Over 500 people were killed, mostly children and their parents and over 300 were injured at Rajiv Marriage Palace, a private marriage hall in Dabwali in Sirsa district, Haryana. It was being used for the Annual Day Function of the DAV School. The fire was caused by an electric malfunction and spread as the pandal was covered with a synthetic sheet. A stampede took place too, as there was a small exit gate, causing the high casualties. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal subsequently issued instructions that it be made mandatory for buildings holding such functions to have at least four gates, one on each side, so that people could escape in case of an emergency