Lucknow Fire Tragedy Claims 15 Lives, Raises Questions Over Safety Compliance
The fire, which broke out in a commercial building housing educational and business establishments, left at least 15 people dead and several others injured.
LUCKNOW- At least 15 people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey commercial building in the Aliganj area of Lucknow on Monday afternoon, prompting a large-scale rescue operation and a high-level inquiry into the incident.
The fire broke out around 3 pm in a building located on Usha Mehta Marg in the Purania locality of Aliganj. The structure housed a combination of commercial and educational establishments, including a pet shop and veterinary clinic on the lower floors, while the upper floors accommodated a coaching and animation training centre, library, computer centre and other educational facilities.
Officials said the blaze spread rapidly through the building, filling the premises with dense smoke and trapping several occupants inside. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as people attempted to escape through windows and balconies. Some reportedly jumped from upper floors to save themselves, sustaining serious injuries in the process.
Also Read- Eight Golden Langurs Rescued, Nine Held in Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust in Assam’s Chirang
Several victims are believed to have been students attending classes in the building. Rescue personnel later recovered a number of bodies from different sections of the structure, including rooms where occupants had reportedly taken shelter while trying to escape the smoke.
Authorities said at least 15 people lost their lives in the incident, while several others were admitted to hospitals, including the King George’s Medical University Trauma Centre, for treatment.
The rescue operation involved personnel from the Fire Department, Uttar Pradesh Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were pressed into service to contain the blaze and carry out search operations.
Also Read- Rajasthan : MA Sociology Students Receive Answer Keys Instead of Question Papers
Officials said firefighters were forced to break through walls and access difficult sections of the building during rescue efforts. Ambulances and emergency response teams remained stationed at the site throughout the operation.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the scene and reviewed rescue and relief measures. He said the priority was to ensure treatment for the injured and complete the investigation into the cause of the fire.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short an official engagement and returned to Lucknow to monitor the situation. After visiting the site, he directed senior officials to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and identify any lapses in fire safety compliance.
Also Read- IWAI Marks Yoga Day with Mid-River Yoga Sessions on the Brahmaputra
The Chief Minister also instructed authorities to examine whether the building adhered to prescribed safety norms, including fire exits, emergency preparedness measures and operational permissions. He stressed that accountability would be fixed if negligence or violations were found during the investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced ex-gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased. Injured persons will receive ₹50,000 each.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that an electrical fault or short circuit may have triggered the blaze. However, officials have not yet confirmed the cause and said forensic teams would conduct a detailed examination after the site is fully secured.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over fire safety standards in buildings that house coaching centres, educational institutions and commercial establishments. Urban planners and safety experts have repeatedly highlighted the risks posed by overcrowded mixed-use buildings operating without adequate emergency infrastructure.
As rescue operations concluded late in the evening, authorities said a comprehensive investigation would determine the sequence of events leading to the fire and assess whether any violations contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
