Victim's final phone call: 'Papa, there's a fire, please save me'
Relatives gathered outside the King George's Medical University (KGMU) mortuary on Tuesday recalled the final phone calls they received from loved ones trapped inside a smoke-filled commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area. A devastating fire on Monday claimed 15 lives, including students, and left seven others injured.
Twenty-three-year-old Sukhmani Singh was among those who perished. His father received a desperate call: “Papa, there's a fire, please save me.” Similarly, 27-year-old Joyneel Chakravorty reportedly told his aunt that those inside were trapped and desperately needed help. Another victim, Aditya Srivastava (25), remained inside as thick smoke engulfed the structure. His mother said some people managed to jump to safety, but her son could not make it. “If help was provided instead of making videos, more lives could have been saved. Perhaps my son would have been alive,” she said.
Investigation launched: SIT inspects site, forensic team at work
Acting on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directions, a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) visited the site on Tuesday, inspected the building, and met injured victims at KGMU. A team from the Uttar Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory also conducted preliminary examinations.
Preliminary forensic findings suggest the blaze may have originated from an electrical short-circuit involving an air-conditioning unit or an LED billboard inside a lower-level pet shop around 2:15 pm. The commercial building on Usha Mehta Marg housed multiple establishments. The basement, ground, and first floors contained a pet shop and veterinary clinic. The second floor accommodated a library-cum-coaching facility and the Head Hopper Studio animation and gaming firm, where around 35 people were believed to be present when the fire broke out.
Victims' stories: shattered dreams and families
The tragedy has exposed the fragile lives several victims were trying to build. Abdul Rahman, who had secured a job only eight months ago, was the sole earning member of his family. His father is paralysed, and his mother is a homemaker.
Among those killed were Nilesh Kumar (27) and Anamika Samant (30), whose families had recently started formal discussions regarding their marriage. Also killed was Anamika's cousin Somilya (27)—the trio worked at the same animation institute. Anamika's parents had travelled from West Bengal to Lucknow days earlier to meet Nilesh's family. A small ceremony had already taken place, and Nilesh's family had booked tickets to visit West Bengal next week to continue wedding discussions. Relatives informed The Tribune that Nilesh, the second among three siblings, had been expecting a promotion and salary hike this year and wanted greater financial stability before marriage.
Questions of safety and negligence
The desperate cries for help have raised questions not only about how the fire started but also about the conditions inside the building and whether the disaster could have been averted. Investigators are examining alleged violations in the building's safety protocols.
