Lucknow: Heartbreaking accounts have emerged from the devastating fire that swept through a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday, killing at least 15 people and leaving several others injured. Among the victims was 23-year-old Sukhmani Singh, whose desperate final phone call to his father has become a symbol of the tragedy.
According to family members, Sukhmani called his father, Prabhjot Singh, around 2:15 pm and pleaded for help as flames engulfed the building. “Papa, there’s a fire, please save me,” were among his last words before contact was lost.
The blaze, which reportedly started in shops on the ground floor dealing with animals, quickly spread through the structure and trapped dozens inside. Witnesses said thick smoke filled the building, forcing some students and workers to jump from the first floor in a desperate attempt to escape.
A total of 24 people were rushed to hospitals, but 15 were declared dead. Families of the victims have questioned the emergency response, claiming that quicker rescue efforts could have saved lives.
Aditya Srivastava’s mother alleged that delays in providing assistance worsened the situation. She said several victims remained trapped for hours as smoke spread throughout the building. Friends described Aditya as a bright and promising young man whose life was cut short.
Another victim, Abdul Rahman, was the sole breadwinner of his family. Friends said he had secured a job only months ago and was supporting his paralysed father and homemaker mother. His death has left the family in financial and emotional distress.
Following the tragedy, authorities suspended four officials, including personnel from the Lucknow Development Authority, the electricity department, and the fire department. A two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident.
Police have registered a case against six individuals under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act. Four accused, identified as Ram Krishna Upadhyay, Virendra Prasad Shukla, Tushar Krishna Jaiswal, and Suresh Kumar Sahu, have been arrested. Officials said they are among the joint owners of the building.
Fresh allegations from local residents suggest that faulty electrical wiring and inadequate fire safety measures contributed to the disaster. Residents claimed that while the building housed 20-25 air conditioners, the electrical system was designed for a much lower load, increasing the risk of overheating and fire. They also pointed to the lack of multiple emergency exits, which left occupants trapped as flames spread.
The Uttar Pradesh government revealed that the building had previously faced action over unauthorised construction. A demolition order issued in 2016 was reportedly revoked within two months. Records show the property was originally allotted in 1980 and later transferred to new owners, with a residential-use plan approved under a self-certification scheme in 2014.
As investigations continue, questions are being raised over regulatory oversight, building safety compliance, and whether stricter enforcement could have prevented one of Lucknow’s deadliest fire disasters in recent years.
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