A hard‑to‑escape blaze erupted Monday afternoon in the densely populated Aliganj area of Lucknow, India, fatally engulfing fifteen people inside a three‑storey commercial building that housed a pet shop on the ground floor and a 3D animation centre on the upper floors.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as smoke thickened, forcing trapped occupants to squeeze down power cables, climb through broken windows and call out for help. Firefighters accessed the terrace via a neighbouring building and then breached the side wall to render assistance, rescuing several survivors while others succumbed to smoke inhalation or were unable to break through the sole exit.
The fire was reported at approximately 14:45 local time, and the cause remains undetermined though a short‑circuit in external drum contacts was mentioned by officials. Authorities noted the building lacked adequate emergency exits, which contributed to the trapping of victims in the smoke‑filled stairwell.
Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak announced that an official inquiry had been initiated and that the responsible aspects of fire safety would be examined to prevent future tragedies. Police have charged several individuals and suspended four public officials linked to the incident.
The Lucknow fire comes less than a month after a similar blaze at a bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi that claimed several lives, amplifying alarm over the enforcement of fire safety regulations across India’s crowded commercial districts.
