Lucknow fire kills 15 at commercial building housing pet shop, animation studio

Lucknow ( The Indian View Team) : At least 15 people were killed after a massive fire tore through a commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday, triggering a frantic rescue operation, desperate escape attempts and a high-level probe ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia assistance for the families of the victims as the death toll climbed.

The fire out at the three-storey building on Usha Mehta Marg in the Purania area, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering panic among residents and people inside the premises. Firefighters, police personnel, NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence teams launched an intensive rescue operation that continued for hours before the fire was brought under control.

Most of the victims are believed to be young people aged between 20 and 24 years who were inside the building when the fire broke out.The deaths came after hours of uncertainty, with rescue teams combing through smoke-filled rooms and washrooms amid fears that several people had been trapped inside.