At least 15 people,mostly students,lost their lives in a devastating fire Monday in a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area . Blaze erupted around 2:30 p.m.,trapping victims on second floor where they were attending classes at a graphics animation centre.
Eyewitnesses described chaos as students tried to escape flames. Some jumped from building, videos capturing desperate falls next to roadside railing. Local residents rushed to aid those who escaped,while others weren't as fortunate. Five more injured,needed immediate medical care.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rushed back to Lucknow from Aligarh after hearing about incident, promising thorough probe. "Matter will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be brought to justice," he said . State government set up two-member Special Investigation Team to report back in a week.
Authorities arrested building owners—Ram Krishna Upadhyay,Virendra Prasad Shukla, Tushar Krishna Jaiswal—and suspended four officials for their roles . State’s Urban Development and Energy Minister,A. K. Sharma, said fire likely started in air conditioning duct, worsened by lack of proper exits that led to suffocation.
As fire raged,twelve fire tenders battled flames,which took about three hours to control. Exact cause of fire still under investigation,but early findings point to major lapses in building safety standards.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to families of deceased,announced ₹50,000 for injured. "Anguished by loss of lives in fire mishap in Lucknow," he wrote, stressing ongoing rescue operations,necessary assistance provided.
Aftermath saw expressions of sorrow from President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan . Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak noted tragic loss of life,confirmed around 13 rescued from building.
Incident sparked political backlash,opposition leaders slamming ruling government. Ajay Rai,Uttar Pradesh Congress president,condemned event as BJP government's negligence. He demanded accountability,high-level inquiry into circumstances of fire.
Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party president,also called for honest investigation,urged government to ensure full medical care for injured . He sent condolences to affected families,emphasized need for preventive measures to stop future tragedies.
As investigations proceed,community mourns loss of young lives, grapples with aftermath of this tragic event…
