Lucknow, June 23: Four people have been taken into custody after a catastrophic commercial fire killed at least 15 people, primarily students, in Lucknow’s Aliganj area. The state government has ordered a comprehensive investigation by a Special Investigation Team to determine the exact cause of the disaster and assess structural safety compliance.
The disaster unfolded on Monday afternoon when flames broke out in a Sector D commercial building, quickly trapping young pupils inside an animation training centre operating alongside a pet shop. Heavy smoke blocked visibility and escape routes, complicating initial rescue efforts by emergency personnel.
The tragedy led to the immediate postponement of top-level state functions. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday cancelled nearly all of his scheduled engagements, including planned visits to Hathras and Agra, following the devastating fire in Lucknow that claimed at least 15 lives and left several others injured.
In tandem with the government’s actions, ruling party officials paused their political calendar. A party spokesperson declared that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Uttar Pradesh unit also announced the suspension of all organisational events planned for Tuesday as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the fire.
Security forces have cordoned off the entire Sector D block to allow the newly formed SIT to conduct its technical assessment. On Tuesday morning, a large number of people gathered outside the site of the tragedy. Police personnel sealed off the area and restricted access, though some residents and members of the media assembled nearby to document the aftermath.
