A tragic fire incident ravaged a commercial building in India, resulting in the loss of at least 14 lives. The fire outbreak occurred on Monday, June 23, in Lucknow, a city located in northern India. Majority of the victims were students.
The building, which housed a pet shop, veterinary clinic, study center, and animation studio, was engulfed by the blaze, with the exact cause remaining unknown initially. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak of Uttar Pradesh confirmed the recovery of 14 bodies at the site.
Rescue operations managed to save at least 10 individuals who were then transported to a hospital for treatment. Social media videos captured individuals escaping through broken windows, with one video showing a man falling from an upper floor while attempting to flee. Fortunately, reports indicated that he survived and received medical attention.
Firefighters had to break through a rear wall to gain access to the building due to dense smoke hindering rescue efforts. Exhaust fans were utilized to clear the smoke while emergency crews meticulously searched rooms and restrooms for any remaining survivors.
This incident recalls a similar tragedy in April at the Rituraj Hotel in Kolkata, where guests were seen desperately evacuating the premises as a fire broke out. In eastern India, a fire at the hotel claimed the lives of 14 tourists. Unfortunately, such fire emergencies are not uncommon in India, often attributed to disregard for building regulations and safety standards by developers and residents.
Activists have criticized builders for compromising safety measures to cut costs and have accused civic authorities of negligence and indifference. In a previous incident in 2022, a devastating fire in a four-story commercial building in New Delhi resulted in the loss of 27 lives.