Campus Times | Lucknow 

The death toll in the devastating fire at a commercial building in Lucknow Aliganj area has risen to 15, triggering a major crackdown by authorities. Four people, including three building owners, have been arrested, while four government officials have been suspended on the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The massive blaze broke out on Monday afternoon and raged for more than an hour before firefighters managed to bring it under control. Several people were trapped inside the building as thick smoke rapidly engulfed the premises. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic, with some students jumping from the first floor in a desperate bid to save themselves.

FIR against building owners, studio operator arrested

An FIR has been registered at Aliganj Police Station against six named individuals under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police arrested three building owners Ramkrishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla and Tushank Krishna Jaiswal. Later, Suresh Kumar Sahu, who operated a studio in the building, was also taken into custody. Further investigation is underway.

According to the FIR, the fire started around 2:30 pm in a pet shop and clinic operating on the lower floors of the three-storey building. The flames and dense smoke quickly spread throughout the structure, trapping occupants inside. Several animals housed in the pet shop also died in the incident.

No fire safety measures, no escape route

Investigators have found glaring violations of basic safety norms. The FIR states that the building lacked fire-fighting equipment, emergency evacuation facilities and even an alternative escape route. Officials said the absence of fire safety arrangements significantly hampered rescue efforts and may have contributed to the high casualty count.

Authorities revealed that the building on Usha Mehta Marg was originally approved as a residential property but was being used for multiple commercial activities.

The structure housed a pet shop and clinic on the ground and first floors, a video gaming zone and 3D animation centre on the second floor, and an IT networking office on the third floor. Reports indicate that a coaching centre was also operating from the premises.

Building faced demolition action in 2016

In a significant revelation, the Uttar Pradesh government stated that the building had been issued a demolition order in 2016 for unauthorised construction. However, the order was revoked within two months.

The property, located in Sector D near Purania Chauraha in the upscale Aliganj Scheme area, was originally allotted in 1980 under a government hire-purchase scheme.

Four officials suspended

Amid mounting questions over regulatory oversight, four officials have been suspended with immediate effect. Those suspended include Executive Engineer Gaurav Kumar, Fire Safety Officer Kamlendra Kumar Singh, Assistant Engineer Anil Kumar and Junior Engineer Pramod Pandey.

The suspensions come as the government faces scrutiny over how a building allegedly operating in violation of safety norms continued functioning despite previous action against it.