After Lucknow fire kills 15, UP CM orders SIT probe, report in 7 days

A devastating fire erupted in Lucknow on Monday, June 22, 2026, claiming the lives of fifteen students. In response to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath swiftly initiated measures to investigate the incident thoroughly. The chief minister ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising two senior officials—Amrit Abhijat, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism, Religious, and Culture Department, and Praveen Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) for the Lucknow Zone. This move underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for an impartial and comprehensive inquiry into the causes of the fire.

The fire occurred at a commercial building that housed an animation center in the Aliganj area of Lucknow. The incident drew immediate attention from local authorities, prompting the Chief Minister to cut short his trip to Aligarh and travel directly to the site of the disaster. His presence at the scene highlighted the seriousness with which the administration viewed the incident. Alongside him, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Lucknow after being informed about the fire. Singh emphasized the importance of swift action and assured that the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of Uttar Pradesh would personally visit the site and submit reports on the incident. He further stated that anyone found responsible for the tragedy would face strict consequences.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also visited the location of the fire, engaging with the survivors and learning about their harrowing experiences during the incident. Survivors shared accounts of how the fire broke out unexpectedly, causing panic among those present. They described how smoke began emanating from the first floor, forcing individuals to flee. However, as they attempted to exit via the stairs, another fire broke out, compelling many to seek alternative routes for escape. Some managed to descend using cables while others resorted to jumping from the building to safety. Pathak conveyed these narratives to the public, emphasizing the traumatic nature of the event and assuring the affected families that the government would provide support and pursue justice relentlessly.

The Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged the severity of the incident, describing it as “heart-wrenching” and “horrific.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the victims' families receive justice and that the incident serves as a crucial lesson for future prevention efforts. Post-mortem examinations of the deceased were scheduled to be conducted by specialized teams, reinforcing the determination to uncover all aspects of the tragedy. A high-level inquiry was already underway, indicating the administration's resolve to address the incident comprehensively.

As the investigation progresses, the focus remains on identifying the root cause of the fire and determining whether there were any lapses in administrative or operational procedures that could have contributed to the disaster. The SIT has been given a tight deadline of seven days to complete its inquiry and submit a detailed report to the Chief Minister’s office. This timeframe reflects the urgency of the situation and the expectation for prompt results.

The incident has sparked discussions about the safety standards of buildings housing educational institutions and the necessity for stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Authorities are likely to consider implementing new policies aimed at enhancing fire safety protocols and conducting regular inspections of such facilities. Additionally, the outcome of the SIT's findings may influence broader policy decisions related to infrastructure and emergency management practices across the state. The coming days will be critical in shaping the response to this unfortunate event and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken to safeguard the community against future risks.