Lucknow fire: 15 dead, building sealed and FIR filed — what we know so far

A day after a devastating fire swept through a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, killing 15 people and injuring several others, authorities have sealed the premises, registered a case and launched an investigation into possible safety violations.

Most of the victims were students and young professionals linked to an animation training institute and gaming centre operating inside the building in Purania Sector-D. The fire broke out around 2 pm on Monday, triggering panic as occupants struggled to escape the rapidly spreading flames.

Dramatic visuals from the scene showed people attempting desperate escapes, with some climbing down power cables and others jumping from the building while firefighters battled the blaze.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths. PM Modi announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for those injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cancelled the remaining part of his scheduled visits to Aligarh and Hathras following the tragedy.

Safety violations and investigation

No fire NOC:
The building was reportedly constructed on land originally designated for residential use and did not have a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC), according to officials. Lucknow Chief Fire Officer Ankush Mittal said the operators had not approached the department for approval.

Building sealed:
Lucknow Police sealed the premises under the Aliganj police station area after the incident. Forensic and fire department teams are expected to collect evidence as part of the investigation.

FIR registered, SIT formed:
Police filed an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service Act. The state government has also formed a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances behind the fire.

Biometric lock controversy:
Firefighters reportedly faced difficulty accessing the building through its only entrance. Questions have been raised over a biometric locking system at the entry point, which may have delayed the evacuation of people trapped inside.

LDA faces scrutiny:
The fire has raised questions over monitoring by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), particularly how a residential property was allowed to operate as a commercial complex for years.

Official records show the 1,992 sq ft property was purchased in 2013 by brothers Virendra and Surendra and was approved for residential use in 2014.

Demolition order history and cause of fire unclear

The building had previously faced action over alleged unauthorised construction. A demolition order was issued in 2016, but the decision was reportedly reversed within months, raising questions about the approval process.

The property was originally allotted in 1980 under a hire-purchase scheme and later transferred through sale deeds before being purchased by the current owners in 2013.

Authorities are also investigating the exact cause of the fire. Initial assessments suggested it may have started due to a short circuit involving an LED billboard in the basement, while another possibility raised was a fire originating in the building’s air-conditioning duct.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said a high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the blaze and identify those responsible for any negligence.