Massive Blaze in Lucknow Slum: 200 Shanties Destroyed, No Casualties Reported
Fire Erupts in Vikas Nagar, Lucknow
Lucknow: A significant fire erupted in a slum area of Vikas Nagar on Wednesday evening, leading to the destruction of approximately 200 shanties and creating chaos among the residents.
Officials reported that the fire is now mostly under control, with no fatalities or serious injuries noted in the preliminary assessment.
The fire ignited in the late afternoon on an empty lot near the Ring Road and quickly spread due to strong winds and the presence of combustible materials in the makeshift homes.
Residents mentioned that several small LPG cylinders may have exploded due to the heat, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Thick black smoke was visible from several kilometers away.
The vicinity includes hotels and various automobile showrooms, which heightened concerns about the fire's spread.
A fire department representative indicated that the presence of small cooking gas cylinders inside the shanties complicated firefighting efforts.
Residents were seen in a panic, attempting to salvage their belongings as flames engulfed their homes.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the fire, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructing officials to accelerate relief and rescue efforts.
Police Commissioner Amrendra K Singh stated that they have managed to prevent the fire from spreading further and expect it to be fully extinguished soon.
Regarding the damage, he noted that around 200 shanties were affected, with further evaluations ongoing.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who visited the scene, confirmed that there have been no reported casualties and promised a thorough investigation.
He also mentioned that the health department has been alerted and ambulances have been dispatched.
District Magistrate Vishak G added that the fire caused family separations, and efforts are underway to reunite them.
While there are currently no casualties, they are working to identify individuals who may be missing due to the incident.