A devastating fire that gutted a building in Lucknow's upscale Aliganj Scheme locality has revealed that the structure was originally approved for residential use but had been served a demolition order in 2016 over unauthorised construction. The blaze, which broke out on June 22, 2026, completely destroyed the building located in Sector D, raising serious questions about safety compliance and regulatory oversight.
Building Approved for Residential, But Used Commercially
According to officials from the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), the building's original approval was for residential purposes only. However, over the years, the structure was allegedly used for commercial activities without proper sanctions. The LDA had issued a demolition order in 2016 after detecting unauthorised construction, but the order was never executed, leaving the building operational.
The fire, which started late in the evening, spread rapidly due to flammable materials stored inside. Firefighters took several hours to bring the blaze under control. No casualties were reported, but the property was completely gutted, causing losses estimated in crores.
Regulatory Failures Under Scrutiny
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and local politicians, who have demanded a thorough investigation into why the demolition order was not carried out. “The LDA must explain why a building marked for demolition was allowed to function for a decade,” said a local councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is a clear failure of the system.”
Senior LDA officials have stated that a probe has been ordered into the matter. “We are looking into why the 2016 order was not enforced. Strict action will be taken against those responsible,” an LDA spokesperson said.
Safety Concerns and Legal Action
The fire has also highlighted broader safety concerns in the city, particularly in densely populated commercial areas. Fire department officials noted that the building lacked adequate fire safety equipment, and access for emergency vehicles was limited. “We faced difficulties reaching the site due to narrow lanes and parked vehicles,” said a fire officer.
Legal experts say the case could lead to criminal charges against the building owner and LDA officials for negligence. “If a demolition order was in place, the continued occupation of the building amounts to contempt of court,” said lawyer Ramesh Gupta.
The state government has announced a compensation package for affected families and promised to expedite the demolition of other unauthorised structures in the city.
