Lucknow: A sudden fire broke out in a building in Aliganj on Monday, and within minutes the calm of Usha Mehta Marg near Purania crossing turned into a nightmare of smoke, sirens and panic.Thick black flames and fumes shot into the sky as shutters crashed down, street vendors abandoned their carts in haste and water from fire tenders flooded the narrow lane, turning it into a chaotic, trembling stretch of confusion.The two-storey building housed a pet shop and clinic across the basement, ground and first floors, while the second floor accommodated a library, learning space and a 3D art and game asset firm, which provided skill training to students.“I told everyone the fire broke out downstairs, please run, but many could not come out,” said Marzeena, a sweeper who first raised the alarm, her voice trembling.With only a single entry and exit point, panic spread uncontrollably. People ran blindly, shouting for help, pushing through the narrow staircase. Some broke windows and climbed down using hanging wires, while a youngster, unable to find any other way, jumped from the first floor in sheer fear. On seeing this, people below spread a mattress in case some others also wanted to jump.Outside, in the narrow lane, fire brigade trucks struggled to enter. SDRF and NDRF teams rushed in with urgency. Police personnel formed human chains to control the restless crowd and clear the way for ambulances. Firefighters ran in and out of the burning building, their faces black due to fire smoke, carrying victims on stretchers.Many tried to break the building’s glass panes to allow thick smoke to escape and create possible routes for those trapped inside.Amid the chaos, deeply emotional scenes unfolded as families of the students reached the spot after the news of fire spread on social media or got distress calls from those trapped. Many of them cried uncontrollably. A woman was seen begging police to let her reach her trapped son.Strangers stepped forward with water and comfort. Many sat on the footpaths, stunned and traumatised, staring blankly at the smoke-filled sky.Lance Naik Chhabi Ram was passing by when he saw the blaze and rushed to help. Locals supplied water bottles to firefighters engaged in the rescue operation.
