On Monday, June 22, a serious fire broke out in a busy commercial building in the heart of Lucknow, the capital of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The entire building was engulfed in flames within moments, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and leaving 7 others critically injured. As of now, the rescue operation at the scene is still ongoing under intense circumstances.
According to media reports, the fatal fire occurred on Monday afternoon, during peak hours when the three-story commercial building was bustling with people. The building, filled with flammable materials, immediately started emitting thick black smoke as soon as the fire broke out.
Witness accounts and on-site footage show that the building quickly became engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading rapidly from the lower levels upwards. Thick smoke billowed into the sky, visible for miles around. Many people, including those working and shopping in the building, found themselves trapped and in panic, some resorting to waving for help from windows while others were forced to jump to safety, resulting in a chaotic scene.
Upon receiving the alarm, local firefighting departments dispatched a large number of fire trucks and ambulances to the fire scene promptly. Local police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Uttar Pradesh Disaster Response Force, and civil defense teams also rushed to the scene to support and launch a large-scale rescue operation.
Due to the ferocity of the fire, firefighters deployed multiple heavy-duty aerial ladders to spray water onto the flames from above, while fully equipped search and rescue teams forcefully entered the building. After several hours of strenuous efforts, the fire was eventually brought under control.
The commanding officer at the scene confirmed that at least 15 bodies of victims have been found within the fire site, while 7 severely injured survivors have been urgently transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Local media reported that the building housed an animation training center, with a large number of students attending classes when the fire broke out, resulting in the majority of casualties being young students. Furthermore, as many individuals remain unaccounted for within the building, the number of casualties may rise as the rescue operation continues.
As for the cause of the fire, authorities, based on initial assessments, believe it likely originated from a sudden electrical short circuit in the central air conditioning system of the building’s basement, leading to intense sparks igniting the surrounding combustible materials. However, the specific cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered all relevant departments to continue full-fledged search and rescue efforts for survivors, ensuring proper treatment for the injured. Simultaneously, the local government has formed a high-level investigative team to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the fire safety responsibilities of the building.
Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims and announced through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund that a condolence amount of 200,000 rupees (approximately 2,110 US dollars) will be granted to each direct relative of the deceased.