In brief
On Monday, a fire erupted in a three‑floor commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, claiming 15 lives including trainees and employees. The structure housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation centre on the upper floors, with no proper emergency exits. Witnesses reported people jumping from windows and climbing power cables while firefighters breached a neighbouring wall to rescue trapped occupants. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak ordered an inquiry and directed authorities to prevent future incidents; four arrests and four officials have been suspended. The tragedy highlights growing alarm over safety violations in India’s cramped commercial spaces.
A blaze broke out in a multi‑storey commercial building in the densely populated Aliganj area of Lucknow on Monday afternoon, around 14:45 local time (09:15 GMT). The ground floor housed a pet shop, the first floor ran an animation centre, and the second floor contained a 3D gaming centre.
The fire quickly consumed the building’s only staircase, cutting off the sole exit. Witnesses reported people climbing down power cables, jumping from windows, and calling for help from inside. Firefighters reached a terrace via a neighbouring building, breached a side wall, and recovered bodies of afflicted occupants.
At least 15 people—trainee students, employees, and other visitors—were trapped and died. An inquiry has been ordered by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who urged authorities to take steps that will prevent similar incidents in the future.
Police have filed charges relating to acts that endangered life, arrested four people in connection with the fire, and suspended four public officials. Several victims reported that a biometric entry system limited their exit options.
This tragedy follows a recent blaze at a bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi that also claimed lives, raising fresh concerns about fire safety compliance across India’s densely built commercial spaces.
