A massive fire swept through a slum cluster in Lucknow’s Vikas Nagar area late Wednesday afternoon, destroying more than two dozen shanties. Fanned by strong winds and highly flammable building materials, the blaze triggered panic as small LPG cooking cylinders kept inside the dwellings repeatedly exploded.
Despite the extensive property damage, initial assessments confirm zero casualties. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed local officials to expedite relief and rescue operations for the displaced residents while launching an immediate investigation into the exact cause of the incident.
Emergency services responded quickly to the growing emergency. Between six and 10 fire tenders were deployed to the vacant plot near the Ring Road where the fire originated.
Firefighting operations faced significant hurdles due to the volatile environment. The continuous ignition of the domestic gas cylinders severely hampered the initial containment strategy, according to Press Trust of India.
By Wednesday evening, local authorities confirmed the main inferno was brought under control. Crews remain on-site executing cooling operations to prevent any secondary flare-ups in the densely packed community.
The state government has pledged immediate assistance to those who lost their homes and belongings in the blaze, The Hindu reported. As the site cools, investigators are preparing to examine the epicenter to determine how the fire sparked in the vacant plot before tearing through the settlement.