Lucknow building fire: Suspended fire officer withdraws ‘mistake’ charges against senior citizen

Firefighters carry out a firefighting operation after a fire broke out in a commercial building in Aliganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on June 22, 2026. The students were killed after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey commercial building in a residential area. File | Photo credit: PTI

A day after senior fire officials accused of negligence in the Aliganj fire tragedy that claimed 15 lives in Lucknow, suspended Fire Station Second Officer (FSSO) Kamlesh Kumar Singh on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) withdrew the charges.

Also Read: Lucknow building fire: FIR cites illegal commercial use, single entry/exit in building claims 15 lives

In a video posted on social media on Wednesday (June 24), Mr Singh said he was deeply saddened by the death caused by the fire and his emotional state had influenced his actions.

“I was misled while shooting the video. I am extremely saddened by the loss of 15 lives in the incident,” Mr Singh said. Expressing confidence in senior officials and the ongoing investigation, Mr. Singh said he believed a fair and impartial inquiry would reveal the facts surrounding the tragedy.

He also publicly apologized for an earlier video in which he blamed the chief fire officer (CFO) of Lucknow for misconduct in the incident and asked for a review of the disciplinary action taken against him.

On Tuesday (June 24), Mr Singh released a video and wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, claiming his role was limited to local inspections and reporting and had no power to issue fire permits or enforce large-scale fire safety norms.

The latest statement comes amid an investigation into a fire that broke out in a three-storey building on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj on Monday (June 23). The building, approved for residential use, was said to be used for commercial activities and housed an animation center on the upper floor and a pet store and clinic on the lower floors.

The fire killed 15 people and injured several others. The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended four officials, including FSSO Kamlesh Kumar Singh, in connection with the incident. Four persons have been arrested so far and a case has been registered against the six named individuals and others under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and possible violations of building and fire regulations.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 16:37 IST