A devastating fire in a building in Lucknow, northern India, has claimed the lives of at least 15 people. The tragedy occurred on Monday in the densely populated Aliganj area, with witnesses describing scenes of panic as people trapped inside tried to escape the smoke.
The building housed a pet shop and an animation centre, with flames and smoke engulfing the only staircase, cutting off the sole exit. Firefighters reached the terrace via a neighbouring building and breached a side wall to begin rescue efforts.
Witnesses described people jumping from windows and climbing down cables to escape, while rescue teams worked tirelessly to save lives. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, with authorities pointing to the lack of emergency exits as a possible factor.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety in India's densely occupied commercial buildings, with several deadly blazes in recent months exposing violations of fire safety rules. The victims included trainees and employees who were inside the building when the fire broke out.
The Uttar Pradesh state government has initiated an inquiry into the incident, with authorities directing officials to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. Police have filed charges over acts causing or endangering life, and arrested four people in connection with the fire.