A devastating fire at a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday afternoon claimed at least 15 lives, mostly students, and left nine injured. Among the victims were an engaged couple whose wedding preparations were tragically replaced by funeral arrangements.
Couple's Dreams Cut Short
Neelesh Kumar, 27, and Anamika Samant, 30, both worked at the animation centre housed in the building. Their workplace friendship had blossomed into a relationship that won both families' approval. Just last week, Anamika's parents traveled from West Bengal to Lucknow to meet Neelesh and his family, with marriage preparations underway.
"A small ceremony was performed at our house. We all met Anamika. She was a very jolly girl," Neelesh's brother Abhishek said outside the post-mortem house.
Planned Journey Never Happened
The families had booked train tickets for Neelesh's relatives to visit Anamika's family in West Bengal the following week. "The train tickets were booked, and preparations were under way for the journey," Abhishek added.
Neelesh, the second of three siblings, was known as a hardworking professional. Family members said he was expecting a promotion and salary hike this year and wanted to strengthen his finances before settling down. "We wanted to solemnise the marriage this year itself, but he said he would get married next year. He was excited about the expected salary hike and promotion," a family member recalled.
Double Tragedy for One Family
Neelesh had been saving money for the wedding while also contributing to the construction of a new family house. "Neelesh told us that he would get married in the new house once it was completed next year," said Samrendra, a relative.
The tragedy deepened for Anamika's family as her cousin Somilya, 27, who also worked at the centre, was among those killed. Hours before the blaze, relatives were discussing travel plans and wedding dates. By evening, those conversations turned into frantic phone calls, hospital visits, and identifying the dead.
Fire Details
Officials reported that the fire broke out in the afternoon, trapping many victims on the second floor while attending classes at the animation centre. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Families of the victims continue to wait outside the post-mortem house to claim the bodies of their loved ones.
