Tragic Fire Claims Lives of Couple and Their Three Daughters in Kanpur’s Chamanganj Area
KANPUR – In a heartbreaking incident, a devastating fire engulfed a multi-storey residential-cum-commercial building in the Chamanganj locality of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the death of a couple and their three young daughters.
The inferno broke out late Sunday night and raged for several hours, with firefighters struggling through the early hours of Monday morning to bring the flames under control.
Family Perishes in the Blaze
The victims have been identified as Mohammad Danish (45), his wife Nazneen Saba (42), and their daughters — Sara (15), Simra (12), and Inaya (7). According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rajesh Srivastava, the bodies of the parents were discovered at approximately 1:00 AM on the fourth floor of the building.
The bodies of the three minor girls were recovered later, around 6:00 AM, from the same floor after a lengthy and challenging rescue operation.
All five were rushed to Ursula Horsman Memorial Hospital, where doctors, tragically, declared them brought dead. Officials believe the family may have become trapped by the flames, unable to escape as the fire rapidly spread through the building.
Fire Erupts in Mixed-Use Building
The incident occurred in the Prem Nagar locality of Chamanganj, a densely populated area characterized by mixed-use buildings. The ill-fated structure, reportedly five storeys tall, housed shoe manufacturing units on the basement, ground, first, and second floors, while the upper floors served as residential quarters.
Authorities said the blaze originated in the basement, which was used for storing raw materials and equipment related to the shoe business. From there, the fire spread rapidly upward, consuming the commercial floors and eventually reaching the upper residential levels where the victims were located.
Initial Investigations Suggest Electrical Fault
Speaking on the incident, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Seesmau) Manjay Singh stated that preliminary findings indicate the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit or internal electrical wiring faults, particularly from the levels occupied by the shoe factories, where machinery and high power usage are common. However, a full technical probe is still underway to determine the exact cause.
Making matters worse, the intense heat and spreading flames caused two domestic LPG cylinders within the building to explode, further intensifying the fire and reducing the chances of survival for those trapped inside.
Neighbours Alert Authorities
According to police sources, the fire was first noticed by residents and neighbours who saw thick smoke and large flames billowing from the building around midnight. Alarmed by the sight, they immediately informed the fire brigade and local police, triggering a large-scale emergency response.
Rescue and Firefighting Operations
Firefighters, along with support from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were deployed to the scene. Teams worked tirelessly throughout the night to gain access to the upper floors, battling both the flames and heavy smoke.
“The fire was particularly difficult to contain due to the presence of highly flammable materials used in the shoe manufacturing process, and the blasts from the LPG cylinders made the situation even more hazardous,” said ACP (Colonelganj) TB Singh, who supervised part of the rescue operation.
Inquiry Underway, Safety Lapses Suspected
Authorities have launched an inquiry to investigate possible violations of fire safety norms, especially given that the building housed industrial units and residential families under the same roof — a potentially dangerous combination in congested urban settings. Officials are also looking into whether the premises had valid fire safety clearances and functioning fire-fighting systems.
The tragedy has shaken the local community, with several residents expressing anger and grief over what they described as a preventable loss of life. Many called for stricter enforcement of building codes, especially in areas where commercial and residential activities are intermingled
