A devastating fire on Monday in the Aliganj neighbourhood of Lucknow, India, left 15 people dead and prompted officials to launch an inquiry into the conditions that allowed the blaze to spread so swiftly.
The three‑storey commercial building housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation and 3D gaming centre on the upper levels. When the fire erupted at about 2:45 p.m. local time, smoke smothered the single staircase – the only exit – trapping employees, trainees and visitors inside.
Rescue crews reached the roof from a neighbouring building, breaking through a side wall to access the trapped occupants. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with some climbing down power cables, others jumping from windows, and many calling for help from the windows.
The tragedy has renewed alarms over fire safety standards in India’s densely populated commercial towers, following a series of deadly blazes in recent months that exposed widespread violations of regulations.
Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak announced that authorities had been instructed to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future. Police have charged several individuals for acts causing or endangering life and suspended four public officials linked to the incident.
The fire in Lucknow follows other fatal incidents, such as a recent blaze at a bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi that also claimed lives. As the inquiry unfolds, all eyes remain on India’s stringent fire protection laws and the enforcement of proper building safety measures.
