Lucknow fire tragedy: Blaze engulfs over 250 shanties, Six children still missing, CM Yogi issues instructions

April 16, 2026

An illegal settlement situated along the Ring Road in Vikas Nagar, Sector-12, caught fire on Wednesday evening. In moments, the blaze engulfed over 250 shanties. More than 50 gas cylinders stored within the huts exploded. The fire triggered panic and chaos throughout the entire area. Residents began fleeing the settlement’s huts in a desperate bid to save their lives.

A total of 22 fire tenders worked collectively to extinguish the fire, an operation that continued until 10:00 PM. There are reports that around 50 livestock animals were burned alive in the fire, though this has not yet been officially confirmed. Several children are also reported missing. The police and administrative authorities are currently conducting a search operation within the settlement. Residents allege that the police and fire services failed to arrive on time, allowing the fire to escalate into a massive inferno. Angered by the situation, residents engaged in heated arguments and scuffles with police and administrative officials.

For years, people had been living in huts constructed on a three-bigha plot of vacant land located a short distance from the Mini Stadium in Vikas Nagar, Sector-12. As was the case every day, everything appeared normal on Tuesday. However, around 5:00 PM, a fire suddenly broke out in a hut resembling a small mosque.

Upon spotting the flames, people present at the scene attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. It is alleged that calls were made to the Police Control Room to request assistance, but the calls initially failed to connect. After a delay, a call finally went through, and the authorities were informed of the incident. Eyewitnesses at the scene allege that the police and fire tenders arrived a full hour after the information was conveyed. Due to this delay, the fire had already spiraled out of control. One after another, the huts began to burn furiously.

Screaming and Fleeing for Their Lives: Panic Ensues
The sight of the fire raging through the settlement plunged the entire area into chaos. People present at the scene began running in all directions—screaming and shouting—in a desperate attempt to save their lives. A stampede-like situation developed on the road. Nearby shops were immediately shut down, and traffic came to a complete standstill. Upon reaching the scene, police and fire personnel witnessed the terrifying intensity of the blaze and immediately alerted their superiors. Within moments, senior officials from the police and administration—along with 22 fire tenders—arrived at the site.

Six Missing, Including Four Children from One Family

Amidst the raging inferno, people fled for their lives, scrambling to find safety wherever they could. In the ensuing chaos, six children belonging to two families went missing—four from one family and two from the other. The police and administrative authorities remained engaged in the search for the children throughout the night; the search is also being extended to the surrounding neighborhoods.