Advertisement
What really powers the cloud? Behind every Google search, A...
A lot of what defines a home isn’t visible at handover. I...
Private equity has played a significant role in shaping Indi...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
• A major fire broke out in a three-storey commercial building in the Aliganj area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in at least 15 deaths and several injuries.
• Most of the victims were students and trainees associated with an animation and coaching centre operating inside the premises.
• The blaze is believed to have originated in the building and spread rapidly, trapping occupants inside and triggering panic evacuation attempts.
• Preliminary accounts suggest issues related to building usage and fire safety compliance may become part of the investigation into the incident.
A devastating fire in a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area has claimed at least 15 lives, with most of the deceased identified as students and young trainees attending a coaching and animation training centre operating within the premises. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting large-scale rescue operations by fire services, police teams and district authorities.
The fire broke out in a three-storey structure that housed multiple commercial establishments, including a coaching institute and a pet clinic on the lower floors. As flames and thick smoke spread rapidly through the building, several occupants were trapped inside with limited exit routes, leading to chaotic evacuation attempts.
Emergency responders managed to rescue a number of individuals from the building, while others sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Initial reports indicate that many of the fatalities were caused by suffocation due to heavy smoke accumulation inside enclosed spaces.
Eyewitness accounts and early rescue observations suggest that some individuals attempted to escape by jumping from upper floors as conditions inside deteriorated. Firefighters were required to break through parts of the structure to gain access to trapped occupants, highlighting the severity of the blaze and the challenges faced during rescue operations.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, which is yet to be conclusively determined. Preliminary indications point towards a possible electrical fault, though officials have not issued a final confirmation. The incident has also raised questions over the compliance of safety norms in the building, particularly given its mixed-use nature.
The structure, located in a densely populated residential-commercial area, reportedly housed multiple commercial functions within a single complex. Early assessments indicate that the building’s usage pattern and internal layout may have contributed to the rapid spread of fire and difficulty in evacuation.
Senior officials from the state administration have visited the site and ordered a detailed probe into the circumstances leading to the incident. Emergency response teams continue to review the site to assess structural safety and determine the full extent of damage.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to fire safety enforcement in mixed-use buildings across urban centres, where coaching institutes, commercial shops and service establishments often operate within converted residential or commercial structures. Investigations are expected to examine regulatory approvals, fire preparedness measures and adherence to building safety norms.
Further details on the cause of the fire and the identities of the victims are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.
Source Reuters
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
