In brief
A fire broke out on Monday evening at a three‑storey building in Lucknow’s Aliganj neighbourhood. The blaze, originating in a pet shop on the ground floor and spreading to the animation and 3D gaming centre above, gutted the only staircase and cut off the single exit. Fifteen people were trapped and died while survivors were rescued by firefighters who breached walls to reach the terrace. The building’s lack of fire‑exit provisions and a biometric access system impeded escape, leading to an inquiry and arrests. The tragedy highlights systemic fire‑safety compliance gaps in densely populated Indian commercial complexes.
Tragedy in Lucknow
A blaze erupted on Monday evening in Lucknow’s densely populated Aliganj area, killing 15 people and forcing authorities to launch a formal inquiry.
Fire starts in multi‑storey building
The building housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation and 3‑D gaming centre on the upper floors. Firefighters arrived at 14:45 local time and found that the structure’s only staircase was engulfed by flames. Without a secondary exit, occupants were trapped.
Rescue efforts and injuries
Firefighters breached a side wall from a neighbouring building, breaking through to the terrace to begin rescue. Witnesses describe people climbing down power cables or jumping from windows to escape the smoke. Several survivors were injured, and bodies were recovered after the fire was contained.
Safety violations and investigation
The building reportedly lacked emergency exits, and a biometric entry system made escape difficult during the emergency. Police have arrested four people linked to the incident, and four public officials have been suspended. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak directed officials to ensure that such incidents never happen again.
Broader context
The Lucknow tragedy follows a series of deadly blazes in densely occupied Indian commercial buildings, underscoring persistent gaps in fire‑safety compliance across the country.
