Inquiry Ordered After Building Fire Kills 15 in Northern India
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At least 15 people lost their lives when a massive fire tore through a commercial building in Lucknow, the capital of India's Uttar Pradesh state, on Monday. The tragedy has prompted an official inquiry and renewed urgent concerns about fire safety violations in densely occupied commercial structures across the country.
The blaze broke out around 2:45 p.m. local time in the crowded Aliganj neighborhood. The building housed a pet shop on the ground floor, while the two upper floors accommodated an animation and 3D gaming center. Officials confirmed the building lacked emergency exits, leaving scores trapped inside as thick, toxic smoke rapidly filled the premises. Flames consumed the only staircase, cutting off the sole escape route and forcing panicked occupants to desperately seek alternative ways out.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes of people jumping from windows, climbing down power cables, and screaming for help. Local residents rushed to assist, throwing stones to break glass panes and allow more people to escape. Rescue teams reached the building's terrace via a neighboring structure and breached a side wall to begin pulling survivors to safety. Despite their efforts, dozens were injured, and 15 victims—many of them trainees and employees at the animation center—could not be saved.
Among those trapped was Mohammad Shazan, a 19-year-old trainee who called his family to say he had taken refuge in a washroom to escape the smoke. His brother later told BBC Hindi that Shazan was unable to get out. Another victim, the son of Prabhujyot Singh, managed to make a frantic phone call during the fire. "Papa, there's a fire. Save me, I'm trapped inside," the young man said. But by the time his father reached the spot, it was too late.
Relatives of some victims also raised concerns that a biometric entry system controlled access to parts of the building, potentially delaying escape and making it harder for people to flee when the fire erupted. Police have filed charges over acts causing or endangering life and arrested four individuals in connection with the incident. Four public officials have also been suspended pending the investigation.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak announced that an official inquiry has been initiated. "Authorities have been directed to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future," he told reporters.
The Lucknow fire is the latest in a series of deadly blazes that have exposed systemic failures in fire safety enforcement across India. Just less than a month earlier, a fire at a bed-and-breakfast in the capital Delhi claimed several lives. Critics have repeatedly pointed to overcrowded buildings, blocked exits, outdated electrical wiring, and lax oversight as recurring factors in such tragedies.
The cause of Monday's fire has not yet been determined, and investigators are examining the building's electrical systems and safety compliance records. The tragedy has reignited public outrage over the frequent disregard for safety regulations in commercial spaces, with many demanding stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for violators. For now, the families of the deceased mourn their loved ones, while authorities face mounting pressure to prevent the next preventable disaster.
Source BBC
