A deadly fire engulfed a commercial building in India, claiming the lives of at least 14 individuals.
The tragic incident occurred on June 23 at a structure in Lucknow, a city in northern India. The majority of the victims were students.
The exact cause of the fire that ravaged the building, which accommodated a pet shop, veterinary clinic, study center, and animation studio, remains unknown.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak of Uttar Pradesh confirmed the recovery of 14 bodies at the scene. Additionally, around 10 individuals were rescued and transported to a hospital for medical attention. Distressing videos circulating on social media depicted people escaping through broken windows, with one video capturing a man falling from an upper floor in his attempt to flee. Fortunately, reports indicated that he survived and was hospitalized.
Firefighters had to breach a rear wall to gain access to the building due to thick smoke hindering rescue operations. The deployment of exhaust fans helped clear the smoke while emergency teams scoured the premises for any survivors.
This incident echoes a previous tragedy in April at the Rituraj Hotel in central Kolkata, where guests frantically evacuated the premises during a fire outbreak, resulting in the deaths of 14 tourists. Unfortunately, fire-related incidents are not uncommon in India, often attributed to the disregard for building regulations and safety protocols by developers and residents.
Critics have pointed out that cost-cutting measures compromise safety standards, placing blame on both builders for negligence and civic authorities for their lack of oversight and indifference.
Regrettably, in 2022, a catastrophic fire claimed the lives of 27 individuals in a four-story commercial building in New Delhi, the capital of India.
