Lucknow fire tragedy: Four building owners arrested, four officials suspended after animation center fire kills 15 | Today’s news
Following a devastating fire at an animation training center in Lucknow’s Aliganj locality, authorities have arrested four building owners and suspended four government officials on charges of security breaches and administrative negligence.
The tragedy, which claimed 15 lives – mostly students – and injured several others, sparked widespread outrage and prompted the Uttar Pradesh government to order a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
Four building owners arrested
Police said there were four individuals identified as co-owners of the building arrested in connection with the incident.
Quick answers to key questions
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Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have originated in the building’s air duct system.
They were arrested and suspended over allegations of security breaches and administrative negligence that contributed to the tragedy.
The absence of a proper emergency exit route greatly aggravated the tragedy, making evacuation extremely difficult and contributing to the high death toll.
The Uttar Pradesh government ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and suspended four officials based on preliminary findings.
Yes, this tragedy highlights the urgent need for all educational institutions to review and improve their fire safety measures to ensure student safety.
An FIR has been registered at the Aliganj police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Rescue Services Act against the six named individuals and others.
Officials said investigators are looking into allegations that the building was approved for residential use but was being used for commercial activities, including an entertainment center, a pet facility and a clinic.
“We are investigating all the allegations and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings,” Aliganj ACP Shashi Prakash Mishra said.
Four officials suspended
The Uttar Pradesh government has also suspended four officials following preliminary findings.
According to an official statement, those suspended include:
-Gaurav Kumar, Executive Engineer, Electricity Department
-Kamlendra Kumar Singh, Fire Safety Officer, Indira Nagar
-Anil Kumar, Assistant Engineer, Lucknow Development Authority (LDA)
-Pramod Kumar, Junior Engineer, LDA
The action was taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The fire could have started in the AC duct
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have originated in the building’s air duct system.
Uttar Pradesh’s Urban Development and Power Minister AK Sharma said thick smoke quickly spread through the structure, causing suffocation among those trapped inside.
“The incident will be thoroughly investigated, including possible lapses in building norms, and strict action will be taken,” Sharma said.
The lack of emergency exits made the tragedy worse
Several officials and eyewitnesses said the lack of a proper emergency exit contributed significantly to the high death toll.
Local MLA Neeraj Bora said, “There was no fire escape route and that was perhaps the reason why the scale of the tragedy was so great.”
A police officer involved in the rescue operation also noted that the lack of an alternate exit made evacuation extremely difficult.
Hydraulic platform operator Jhabbu Sahni echoed those concerns, saying many lives could have been saved if access was through the roof.
Students trapped as flames spread
The fire broke out at around 3 pm on Monday in a three-storey building on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj.
Most of the victims were attending classes in the animation center located on the upper floors when the building was engulfed in smoke.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as students tried to escape through windows. Some climbed down the cables while others jumped from the upper floors to save themselves.
Rescue teams, including the fire brigade, NDRF and SDRF, had to drill holes through adjacent structures to reach those trapped inside.
15 dead, several injured
According to King George Medical University (KGMU), 22 people were brought to the trauma center after the fire.
Fifteen victims were pronounced dead on arrival, and the injured were treated. Hospital authorities said most of the survivors are now stable, with only a few remaining under medical care.
SIT probe ordered
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site and later met the injured victims at the hospital.
A special investigation team has been set up to look into the circumstances leading to the fire and submit a report within seven days.
Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh who visited the sitesaid liability will be fixed.
“Responsibility will be established regarding those responsible for this tragedy and all necessary action will be taken,” Singh said.
The state government has announced compensation ₹5 thousand for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured, at the same time Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced more aid from the Prime Minister’s National Assistance Fund.
Read also | Lucknow coaching center fire kills 15; Deputy CM says some children jumped
