At least 15 people died in a building fire on Monday night in Lucknow’s densely populated Aliganj area, and officials have ordered an inquiry into the incident.
The blaze erupted in a three‑storey commercial complex that housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation and 3D gaming centre on the upper two floors. Witnesses recalled seeing people panic‑leaping from windows, climbing down power cables, and several throwing stones to break glass in attempts to escape.
The building’s only staircase and exit were blocked by thick smoke, trapping occupants inside. Firefighters had to breach a side wall and access the terrace via a neighbouring building before they could begin rescue operations. Several victims were seen calling for help from inside, but by the time rescuers arrived most were unable to escape.
Authorities say the fire was caused by unknown factors and the complex lacked adequate emergency exits. The incident has reignited concerns over fire safety in India’s densely occupied commercial buildings, following several high‑profile blazes over recent months that exposed violations of fire safety regulations.
Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak told reporters that an inquiry had been initiated and that "authorities have been directed to ensure that such incidents do not happen again." He also noted that four people have been arrested under charges of endangering life, and four public officials have been suspended.
The victims, who included trainees and employees, were inside the building when the fire struck. They were contacted by relatives or managed to keep phones to reach out, but many calls came too late. The grief has weighed heavily on families, such as Prabhujyot Singh, who received a call from his son during the blaze, only to learn too late that he was trapped.
The tragedy comes less than a month after a deadly blaze at a bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi that also claimed several lives, highlighting the urgent need for stringent fire safety enforcement across the country.
Rescue teams recovered the bodies of victims after breaking through walls, as shown in accompanying photographs.
