Lucknow, April 16: So far, two sisters, aged 2 years and 2 months, died in a massive fire that broke out in the slums of Lucknow’s Vikas Nagar late Wednesday evening; their bodies have been recovered, while police reported that four other children remain missing.
According to the police, fire brigade teams, along with the NDRF and the SDRF, are engaged in relief work. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to rehabilitate the families affected by this fire. Lucknow MP and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has also inquired about the entire incident from the District Magistrate (DM).
A large number of slums are located in the illegal settlement along the Ring Road in Lucknow’s posh Vikas Nagar area. A massive fire broke out in the slums here on Wednesday evening. The fire was further fueled by the explosions of gas cylinders. The entire settlement was engulfed in this massive fire. It took several fire engines eight hours of intense effort to control the blaze. The NDRF and the SDRF teams continued rescue operations on Thursday.
Meanwhile, during the rescue operation, reports surfaced of six missing children. Police and rescue teams began searching for them, and the bodies of two children were found.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) East Diksha Sharma stated that two girls, Shreya (2) and Swati (2 months), had died in the fire. Their father and family members have identified them. The bodies are being sent for post-mortem examination. Relief operations are still ongoing. The full extent of the damage and the situation will become clearer once the rescue operation is complete. An investigation is underway, suspecting foul play.
Chief Minister Yogi and regional MP Rajnath Singh took cognizance of the fire in the slum in Lucknow’s Vikas Nagar area.
Lucknow MP and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inquired about the incident from the DM Vishak G. Iyer. He assured immediate relief and rehabilitation for the affected people.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, upon learning of the massive fire, dispatched officials to the scene. Yogi asked an investigation into the cause of the fire and submitted a report. He also directed the officials to rehabilitate the affected people and arrange for their food and other supplies.
DM Iyer stated that relief and rehabilitation measures are being carried out expeditiously in response to the fire. The affected people have been shifted to night shelters and all possible relief and food arrangements are being made. District administration teams will soon assess the damage caused by the fire and complete the process by providing relief funds to the affected people. A heavy police force has been deployed since the fire.