LUCKNOW —At least 14 people were killed after a massive fire tore through a commercial building housing a pet clinic and an animation training center in the northern Indian city of Lucknow on Monday, triggering a frantic rescue operation, desperate escape attempts and a high-level probe ordered by the provincial government.
The building located in Aliganj, a commercial area of the Uttar Pradesh state capital, has a pet shop and other stores apart from the training center, according to local media reports.
The fire raged for over an hour and at least 14 bodies were brought out after it was brought under control, NDTV reported.
Firefighting and rescue operations are still under way as several people are feared trapped inside the building.
“It is being said that 10-12 people are trapped inside. We have not been able to enter the building as the fire is massive,” a fire official told the ANI news agency earlier.
Witnesses said several people jumped from the center, which is on the first floor, and a video shows a man falling while attempting to escape.
In the video, the man can be seen climbing out of what appears to be a shattered window of the building. The man tries to hang on to a ledge but can’t hold on, falling onto a fence before hitting the ground. Some people are seen helping him up and carrying him to safety. He suffered injuries and is undergoing treatment.
Police and fire teams reached the spot and brought the fire under control. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also visited the scene to monitor the rescue efforts.
“Every single item is being moved and checked, and every room is being inspected. There was a lot of wooden furniture inside, and the smoke is obscuring visibility. Fire brigade personnel are inside and NDRF teams are also on-site,” Pathak said.
“The fire broke out suddenly. Children used to come here to learn animation. I have not received any information yet on exactly how the fire broke out. The injured are being sent to the KGMC Trauma Centre… They were around 16-17 years old. Orders for a high-level inquiry into the incident have been issued,” he added.
A witness said, “It’s a three-story building. The fire broke out on the top floor and spread quickly. Some of the windows were shattered as part of the rescue efforts.”
Bystanders told NDTV that several people, including students, were trapped inside the building, but there was no official confirmation on the exact number.
“Five to seven students jumped. One of them also suffered broken bones,” said another witness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was anguished by the deaths and announced a compensation of 200,000 rupees (about $2000) for the families of those who have died and 50,000 rupees (about $500) for the injured.
“Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance,” the Prime Minister’s Office wrote in a post on X.
Expressing his condolences, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to establish contact with the affected families and provide all possible assistance.
Source: Saudi Gazette