Fifteen killed in Lucknow's Aliganj fire; building sanctioned as residential was running shops and coaching centre, probe reveals.
A three-storey building in Lucknow's Aliganj area caught fire on Monday afternoon, killing 15 people and injuring several others. The building housed a coaching centre. Following the incident, the administration has launched an investigation into the building's construction and any irregularities. Preliminary investigations have revealed significant details about the building.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, while four officials have also been suspended.
Building Was Approved for Residential Use
The building on Usha Marg in Lucknow was approved as a residential property. According to records of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and house tax documents of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, the building plan was sanctioned for residential use.
However, shops and educational institutions were being run in it. The building owners are accused of converting it into a commercial complex in 2014. The building is said to belong to Virendra Prasad Shukla, Surendra Shukla, and Dhirendra Shukla. Several students were present in an animation centre operating in the building at the time of the fire. Most of the deceased were trapped on the second floor.
Investigation Reveals Several Lapses
Several serious safety lapses have emerged following the investigation. The building had no emergency exit. Additionally, the route to the terrace was blocked, preventing people from escaping. According to officials, the building's entrance had an electronic locking system operated by thumbprint. When the fire broke out, the electronic system stopped working and locked automatically, trapping people inside.
The building, spread over approximately 1,992 square feet, had received approval as a residential building on 20 August 2014. The LDA had initiated demolition proceedings in 2016 on charges of illegal construction and had also issued an order to demolish the building on 10 May 2016. However, the order was later withdrawn on 5 July 2016 because the building owners' objection had not been heard. A complaint has now been registered at Aliganj police station and police along with administrative agencies are conducting a detailed investigation into the entire matter.