Lucknow, June 22: A devastating fire swept through a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow on Monday afternoon, trapping several people inside and prompting a massive emergency response. Local authorities rushed to the scene at Usha Mehta Marg to launch rescue operations as smoke and towering flames took over the structure.
The incident drew immediate attention from senior state leadership as rescue teams worked to secure the area. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak arrived at the site to oversee the operations and asserted, “The priority is to safely rescue anyone trapped inside the building.”
The emergency response intensified quickly as the scale of the blaze became apparent to dispatchers. The fire department received the initial distress call around 3 pm, leading to a swift mobilization of resources by the Aliganj police and nearby stations. Fourteen fire tenders, including a specialized hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed to combat the raging inferno.
While numerous young people managed to flee the premises on their own as the fire broke out, others remained unaccounted for inside. Medical authorities expressed serious concern regarding potential injuries or fatalities during the initial chaotic hours. A senior health department official declared, “A few casualties are suspected in the incident.”
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the exact nature of the facility housed within the burning complex. While emergency responders initial reports indicated the blaze started inside a coaching centre, Deputy CM Pathak maintained that it was an animation centre, later adding that efforts were focused entirely on saving all students safely. He further stated, “Different figures are coming from eyewitnesses regarding how many people may be trapped. A clear picture will emerge after some time.”
