At least 15 people were killed in a major fire that broke out in a building in Lucknow on Monday, officials said. A student was among the victims, who jumped off the building to escape the flames but succumbed to injuries. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was addressing a public meeting in Aligarh when the incident occurred, immediately cut short his speech and rushed to Lucknow.
Details of the Incident
The fire erupted in a multi-storey building in the Hazratganj area of Lucknow around noon. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and rescue operations continued for several hours. According to officials, the blaze started on the third floor and quickly spread to upper floors due to the presence of flammable materials. Many occupants were trapped inside, leading to the high casualty count.
A student, identified as a resident of the building, was seen jumping from the fourth floor in a desperate attempt to save his life. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The incident has sent shockwaves through the city.
Government Response
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, upon learning about the tragedy, immediately left his public meeting in Aligarh and headed to Lucknow. He visited the site and announced a judicial probe into the incident. "We have ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and fix responsibility. Strict action will be taken against those found negligent," Adityanath told reporters.
The state government also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and free treatment for the injured. Over 20 people were injured in the fire, some of whom are in critical condition.
Rescue and Investigation
Firefighters battled the blaze for over three hours before bringing it under control. The building, which housed commercial establishments and residential flats, suffered extensive damage. Rescue teams evacuated dozens of people from the upper floors using ladders and ropes.
Senior police and administrative officials are on the scene. The forensic team has been called in to collect evidence. Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the fire. However, officials have not ruled out negligence. "We are looking into all aspects, including the building's fire safety compliance," said a senior officer.
The incident has raised questions about fire safety measures in commercial and residential buildings in Lucknow. Local residents complained that the building lacked adequate fire exits and extinguishers. Authorities have promised a thorough review of fire safety norms across the city.
