Four people have been arrested in connection with a devastating fire in Lucknow that claimed 15 lives, police confirmed on Monday. The accused include the owners of the building where the blaze occurred.
Fourth Accused Identified
The fourth accused has been identified as Suresh Kumar Sahu, a resident of Keshavnagar in Lucknow, according to police officials. The other three suspects are also believed to be associated with the building's ownership or management.
The fire broke out late Sunday evening in a multi-story commercial building in a crowded area of the city. Rescue operations were hampered by narrow lanes and illegal constructions, officials said.
Investigation and Charges
Police have registered a case against the accused under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence causing death. The building was reportedly operating without proper fire safety clearances.
“The accused have been taken into custody and are being interrogated to ascertain the full chain of events leading to the tragedy,” a senior police officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Impact and Response
The fire has raised serious questions about fire safety compliance in commercial establishments across Lucknow. Authorities have ordered a thorough inspection of all similar buildings in the vicinity.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The opposition has criticized the government for lax enforcement of safety norms.
