Lucknow Slum Fire Tragedy: Blaze Destroys 300 Shanties in Vikas Nagar, Two Infant Sisters Among Dead
A massive fire tore through a densely populated slum in Lucknow’s Vikas Nagar area on Thursday morning, reducing more than 300 shanties to ashes and leaving a trail of devastation.
Amid the charred debris, firefighters recovered the bodies of two young sisters — a heartbreaking loss that has shaken the entire community.
According to officials, the fire department rushed multiple tenders to the spot soon after receiving the emergency call. Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Ankush Mittal confirmed that two children had died in the blaze, while no other fatalities have been reported so far.
The victims were identified as two-year-old Shruti and her two-month-old baby sister, daughters of Satish, a labourer originally from Barabanki district who had been living in the slum settlement with his family for several years.
The tragic loss has left the family and residents in deep grief.
Director General of UP Fire Services, Sujeet Pandey, who visited the site on Wednesday evening, said that nearly 20 fire tenders and over 120 fire personnel were deployed to contain the flames.
Firefighters battled intense heat and dangerous conditions to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas.
Officials noted that several LPG cylinders stored inside the huts made the situation more dangerous, as multiple cylinders exploded during the fire.
The blasts created panic and made it difficult for rescue teams to enter the area safely.
Lucknow District Magistrate Vishakh G said that the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation and a fire safety audit is currently underway.
Preliminary reports suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical spark or a cylinder-related accident.
The administration has identified around 275 affected families whose homes and belongings were destroyed.
The District Magistrate announced financial assistance for the bereaved family, stating that compensation of Rs 8 lakh will be provided for the loss of the two children.
Authorities have also assured that further decisions regarding the rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced families will be made after a detailed assessment of the damage.
The affected settlement is located on government land where families have been residing for nearly a decade.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as flames spread rapidly due to the closely packed structures.
Thick black smoke could be seen rising from kilometres away, while repeated cylinder bursts intensified fear among residents.
Families rushed out of their homes in panic, trying to save children, elderly members and whatever belongings they could carry.
Police and fire department teams worked together to evacuate residents and bring the blaze under control.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amol Murkut confirmed that the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
Authorities are also helping reunite families who were separated during the panic.
Most residents of the affected locality near Tedhi Pulia are daily wage workers, shop employees and street vendors.
The area is near hotels and automobile showrooms, making the incident particularly alarming for nearby establishments.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who represents the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency, expressed concern over the tragedy and sought immediate relief for affected families.
He spoke with the District Magistrate to review the situation and emphasized the need for swift rehabilitation efforts.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also directed officials to expedite relief measures, while Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site to assess the situation and interact with residents.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav called for immediate assistance for the victims, urging the government to provide essential supplies such as food, water and temporary shelter.
He also demanded a high-level inquiry into the cause of the fire and raised concerns about reports of missing persons.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the vulnerability of densely populated informal settlements, where a single spark can lead to irreversible loss within minutes.
