Overview
- A blaze tore through a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring nine, officials said.
- Most of the victims were students who were attending classes on the second floor of an animation training centre and became trapped when the fire spread.
- Early investigators say the fire may have started in the building’s air-conditioning duct, and police have arrested four building owners as four officials face suspension.
- Official records show the structure received a demolition order for unauthorised construction in 2016 that was later revoked, and the lack of proper emergency exits is reported to have hindered evacuation.
- Families are identifying the dead and grieving losses that include engaged couple Neelesh Kumar and Anamika Samant, a tragedy that is likely to sharpen scrutiny of building safety enforcement and municipal oversight.