He found love, earned a promotion and planned a wedding — then a fire in Lucknow killed the betrothed | Today’s news

For 27-year-old Neelesh Kumar, life seemed to be falling into place. A recent promotion brought with it an increase in salary, and in a few months he was to marry the woman he loved.

For 30-year-old Anamika Samant, the future looked equally promising. Her parents had traveled from West Bengal just days earlier to meet her future in-laws, marking the start of wedding preparations and a new chapter in her life, according to PTI.

Fire in Lucknow

But those dreams were dashed on Monday when a devastating fire tore through a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, claiming the lives of a couple and at least 13 others.

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Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have originated in the building’s air duct system.

The tragic fire claimed the lives of 15 people, including students, and several others were injured.

The building received a demolition order in 2016 due to unauthorized construction, but the order was revoked less than two months later.

The absence of a proper emergency exit route contributed significantly to the high number of casualties, making evacuation very difficult.

Four building owners have been arrested and four officials have been suspended amid ongoing investigations and allegations of security breaches.

The flames broke out in the three-storey building that housed the animation training center where Neelesh and Anamika worked. Many of the victims, most of them students, were trapped on the second floor while classes were in session. Nine others were injured.

“He met a cheerful girl Anamika” and “train tickets were booked” in the midst of wedding preparations

The story of Neelesh and Anamika started exactly at the workplace where it ended. What started as a friendship between colleagues gradually grew into a relationship. Over time, their families accepted the match and the couple began planning a future together.

Instead of celebrating the wedding, their loved ones are now mourning a future that never came.

Just a few days before, there were celebrations, family gatherings and plans for months ahead.

“A small ceremony was done at our house. We all met Anamika. She was a very cheerful girl,” Neelesh’s brother Abhishek said outside the mortuary, according to PTI.

Families have already started planning the next phase of the celebrations. Neelesh’s relatives have booked train tickets to travel to West Bengal next week to meet Anamika’s family and discuss wedding arrangements.

Read also | Lucknow coaching center fire kills 15; Deputy CM says some children jumped

“Train tickets were booked and preparations for the journey were underway,” said Abhishek.

For Neelesh’s family, the tragedy is especially hard because he spent years laying the groundwork for the future he envisioned after marriage. Neelesh, the middle of three siblings, was remembered by relatives as a diligent and dedicated professional who devoted a lot of time and energy to his work.

Family members said he is looking forward to a promotion and a raise this year and hopes to improve his financial stability before starting married life.

Read also | Lucknow animation training center fire: Four arrested, 4 officials suspended

“We wanted to celebrate the wedding alone this year, but he said he was getting married next year. He was excited about the expected pay rise and promotion,” a family member recalled.

According to relatives, Neelesh was saving money for the wedding and at the same time contributing towards the construction of a new family home.

“Neelesh told us that he will get married in the new house once it is completed next year,” said Samrendra, a relative.

Read also | 15 dead in Lucknow fire: Why was the 2016 demolition order cancelled?

These plans now remain unfinished. Instead of preparing for the wedding festivities, family members wait outside the mortuary to receive his body.

For Anamika’s family, the tragedy was even more devastating. Among those killed in the fire was her 27-year-old cousin Somilya, who also worked at the animation center.

Just hours before the fire, conversations in both households revolved around travel plans, the wedding date and the life that lay ahead for the young couple. By evening, these discussions were replaced by frantic phone calls, hospital visits and the painful task of identifying loved ones.

For two families about to unite in marriage, a journey that should have ended in celebration ended in unimaginable loss instead.