Fire at animation studio in India kills at least 15 people

A fire broke out on Monday afternoon in Lucknow, a city in northern India, killing at least 15 people and injuring several others. The tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety standards in densely occupied buildings, as officials stated the structure had no emergency exits or adequate escape routes.

The fire occurred in a three-story building in the Aliganj area. The ground floor housed a pet shop and veterinary clinic, while the upper floors contained an animation and 3D gaming center, as well as a library used by college students and trainees. Most victims were students and employees inside the building when the fire started.

Witnesses described scenes of panic: people trapped by smoke called for help, climbed down power cables, and jumped from windows to escape. Firefighters reached the roof via a neighboring building and broke through a wall to rescue survivors. One trainee managed to call his father from inside, saying: "Papa, there's a fire. Save me, I'm trapped inside." Mohammad Asin, an employee at the animation studio, said: "At first we thought it was a small fire. By the time we tried to leave, smoke had filled the rooms and passageways."

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the blaze. Police arrested four people in connection with the fire, filing charges related to acts endangering life. Four public officials have been suspended, and the Uttar Pradesh government ordered an inquiry. The Lucknow fire is the latest in a series of deadly blazes in India that have highlighted poor enforcement of safety regulations. Building fires are common in the country due to safety violations and inadequate firefighting equipment, with electrical short circuits from poorly maintained wiring being a leading cause.