Urgent Inquiry After 15 Killed in Lucknow Building Fire

Wed Jun 24 2026 05:12:33 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A deadly fire in a packed Lucknow building leaves 15 dead and sparks a state inquiry into fire safety breaches.

A blaze struck a densely occupied commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, killing 15 people and leaving officials scrambling to answer questions about safety violations. The structure housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation and 3‑D gaming centre on the upper stories, but lacked adequate emergency exits and proper fire suppression systems. Rescue teams escaped through a neighboring terrace and had to breach a side wall to reach the trapped occupants, many of whom had to climb down power cables or leap from windows. Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak ordered a formal inquiry and directed authorities to prevent future incidents, while four arrests have been made and four public officials suspended. The tragedy follows a string of other fires in dense commercial buildings across India, underscoring a wider crisis in fire safety compliance.

Urgent Inquiry After 15 Killed in Lucknow Building Fire

A blaze tore through a densely occupied commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj neighbourhood on Monday, killing 15 people, many of whom were trapped inside due to a lack of emergency exits. The building housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation and 3‑D gaming centre on the two upper floors.

Witnesses reported frantic chaos as people tried to escape smoke and flames. Some climbed down power cables, others leapt from windows, and several residents from surrounding homes rushed in to help, breaking window glass to facilitate escape. Firefighters entered the scene via a neighbouring building and had to breach a side wall to access the trapped occupants because the only staircase, which was also the sole exit, was engulfed in flames.

“An inquiry has been initiated,” Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said to reporters. “Authorities have been directed to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future.” The building’s only staircase was the only exit and was sealed by thick smoke, preventing escape for those on the upper floors. The fire’s cause is still unknown, though security footage has not yet shown the initial spark.

Victims included trainees and employees who were inside the animation centre when the fire erupted. One 19‑year‑old trainee, Mohammad Shazan, called his family to say he was trapped. Several relatives testified that the building’s biometric entry system, which controlled access to parts of the premises, made it harder for people to escape during the emergency.

Police have filed charges for acts causing or endangering life and arrested four people connected to the blaze. Four public officials have also been suspended pending the investigation. The blaze in Lucknow comes less than a month after another deadly fire at a bed‑and‑breakfast in Delhi killed several people, heightening concerns over fire safety in India’s densely populated commercial structures.

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