The fire accident in Lucknow has killed 15 people so far. But the true horror of such tragedies extends beyond these numbers, and is reflected in the pain of families who lose loved ones.
On Monday, frantic SOS calls and screams for help from family members and friends created heartbreaking scenes outside the building in Aliganj area where the fire broke out.
Dheeraj Mehra received a SoScall from his office colleague, a 3D artist who was working in the gaming area on the third floor of the building that caught fire in Aliganj, killing at least 15 people. Mehra said his colleague shouted over the phone “bacha lo” (save me).
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A grieving mother was also at the site of the fire, knowing her son was trapped inside. She helplessly pleaded with officials to let her enter the building and save her child. The distraught woman cried repeatedly, “Let me go to my son!” (Let me go to my son).
UP Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, who reached the scene while the rescue operation was underway, said a high-level investigation has been ordered. With tears streaming from his eyes, the Deputy Prime Minister said that he saw 14 bodies at the scene of the accident. “They were our children. It is a very tragic accident,” Pathak said.
Then there were some heroes..
Even before fire trucks arrived at the scene, local residents became the first responders. Witnesses said they saw helpless students trapped in the fire, some of whom jumped from the building to save their lives, suffering broken ribs and spinal injuries in the process.
Read also | People cling to ropes as fire rips through Lucknow building, killing 15: Video
Local residents broke the building’s glass panels to facilitate rescue efforts, while others placed mattresses to reduce the impact on those forced to jump from the upper floors.
Among those who joined the rescue efforts was Lance Naik Chhabbi Ram, based in Agra and currently attached to the headquarters in Lucknow, who happened to be passing by when he noticed the fire.
Speaking to PTI, Ram said his professional experience prompted officials to involve him in the rescue operation. He said he assisted in relief efforts and witnessed more than a dozen bodies being removed from the building, while several people were rescued alive.
(with PTI inputs)
