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A recurring, preventable tragedy in Lucknow
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A nation aspiring to be an economic powerhouse cannot allow its cities to become sites of recurring and preventable tragedies. 3 min readJun 24, 2026 06:15 AM IST First published on: Jun 24, 2026 at 06:15 AM IST A narrow staircase, which was the sole exit, no emergency doors and scarcely any ventilation in any of the halls or rooms — the details that are emerging about the three-storey building that went up in flames in Lucknow, on Monday, killing at least 15 people, seem strikingly similar to the lapses in hostels, coaching centres, hospitals and business centres that were the sites of recent fire outbreaks. The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a probe into the illegalities. The building’s regulatory history and compliance status have come into focus after the fire, and enforcement actions by local authorities are reportedly being scrutinised. The abdications and failures responsible for the incident should, of course, be identified and the guilty held to account. But the recurring tragedies call for a deeper and more meaningful engagement with the reasons that turn buildings in urban neighbourhoods into tinderboxes. The Bureau of Indian Standards’ National Building Code, which came into effect 10 years ago, has comprehensive fire-safety guidelines. Several state governments, including UP, have incorporated these provisions into their building codes. The state also has a Fire and Emergency Services Act, which mandates swift action after an outbreak. But in the face of administrative laxity and irregular inspections, even the most robust protocols remain on paper. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and the city’s Fire Services and Power departments were responsible for auditing the safety of the building that caught fire on Monday. The fragmentation of jurisdictions has played a role in stalling action against the errant owners. These lapses are not very different from the failures that came to light in Delhi earlier this month, when 21 people died after a blaze in a bed-and-breakfast in Malviya Nagar. And, like in the case of several other outbreaks, including at a recreation centre in Rajkot two years ago, precious time was wasted in Lucknow because the building’s design impeded rescue operations.The country’s cities are destinations for millions of job and education seekers. Many property owners compromise on safety to cash in on commercial opportunities from such migration. It’s high time policymakers realised the loss of lives also takes a high toll in terms of eroding the credibility of the country’s institutions. A nation aspiring to be an economic powerhouse cannot allow its cities to become sites of recurring and preventable tragedies.
Artists, designers, game developers: 15 young lives were cut short in the Lucknow fire that gutted a three-story building on Monday. Most of the victims worked at Head Hopper Studios, a company involved in 3D art production and game development. Some of them made panicked calls to their families before the phone lines went dead.The Indian Express speaks to eight families to piece together the lives that were lost.1. Aditya Srivastava, 24Worked as a junior character artist at Head Hoppers Studio, joined four months ago. Aditya Srivastava was known among friends and colleagues as someone who would always show up when needed. (Special Arrangement)Aditya was known among friends and colleagues as someone who would always show up when needed. The depth of his friendships was evident on the night of the fire. Even before his family arrived, several of his friends had rushed to the spot and remained with his mother and sister at the mortuary late into the night. “We are from his previous organisation, where he worked before joining Hoppers. He was extremely helpful, energetic and liked by everyone. Though he had recently switched jobs, he remained in touch with all of us,” said one of his friends. Aditya’s father is a lawyer. His elder sister is married, his younger sister is pursuing a BSc degree and his younger brother is in Class 6.Story continues below this ad His uncle, Prashant Srivastava, said Aditya was someone the entire family relied on: “If you needed help, he would be there, even at 2 am. We all depended on him.” 2. Jainil Chakraborty, 27 From: Kotma, Madhya Pradesh Worked at Head Hoppers Studio as a 3D character artist since 2023 Jainil Chakraborty, 27, worked at Head Hoppers Studio as a 3D character artist since 2023. (Special Arrangement)His father, Jayant Chakraborty, said Jainil used to live in Lucknow with his aunt. He studied at a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh and then went to MAAC, Pune, to study graphic design. They were handed over his body Tuesday and left Lucknow via train. “We tried calling Jainil’s number but couldn’t reach him,” said Jayant. “It’s not easy to bring your son’s body home.” 3. Neelesh Kumar, 28 From: Lucknow, UPStory continues below this ad Artist at Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago Neelesh Kumar worked as an Artist t Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago. He was engaged to Anamika, who died along with him in the fire (Special Arrangement)He was engaged to Anamika. “We knew about the fire, but we did not take it seriously because there was no indication that Neelesh’s workplace was in the same building,” said his brother Abhishek. “In the evening, we received a call from the mortuary, informing us about his death.” 4. Anamika Samanta, 27 From: Kolkata, West Bengal Artist at Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago She and Neelesh were engaged. Anamika’s younger brother, 24-year-old Akash, recalled the family’s recent trip to Lucknow to meet Neelesh’s family. “My sister had told our parents about Neelesh some time ago.Story continues below this ad Anamika Samantan was an artist at Head Hoppers Studio and had been working for, joined around three years ago. (Anamika Instagram)I had known about their relationship for around six months. I went to Lucknow with my parents, and we visited Neelesh’s home,” he told The Indian Express over the phone from Kolkata. 5. Abdul Rehman, 24 From: Lucknow, UP Worked in the firm’s art production and game development unit for three years Abdul was the sole breadwinner of his family after his father, Afzal Ali, was left paralysed a few years ago. Abdul Rehman was the sole breadwinner of his family after his father, Afzal Ali, was left paralysed a few years ago. (Special Arrangement)“We called him multiple times but he didn’t answer. We rushed to Aliganj and found the building housing his office engulfed in flames. We then went to the medical college (KGMU)…,” his friend, Salman Siddiqui, said. “It was there that we
Yogi Adityanath inspects the site of the tragedy, on Monday. (ANI)Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday directed to constitute a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the fire tragedy in Lucknow’s Aliganj area. The SIT comprises Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs) Amrit Abhijat and Lucknow Zone Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Praveen Kumar.The decision was taken after a meeting attended by the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Affairs), Director General of Police (DGP) and other senior officers, it is learnt. The SIT has been directed to submit its report within seven days and probe the reasons behind the fire and negligence on part of the departments concerned. Rescue personnel douse the flames at the site in Lucknow’s Aliganj on Monday. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)The blaze that erupted in the three-storey commercial building in the Lucknow neighbourhood left at least 15 people, mostly students, dead and seven injured, officials said. Several victims were trapped on the second floor of the building, where students were attending classes at an animation centre. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Eyewitnesses said several people jumped out of the building, which was completely gutted in the fire. The structure also housed a pet clinic from where several animals in distress were rescued. — PTI inputs
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