What began as a normal working day turned into one of Lucknow’s deadliest fire tragedies in recent years after a massive blaze swept through a commercial building in Aliganj on Monday, killing at least 15 people.
Behind the death toll are heartbreaking stories of desperate phone calls, shattered dreams and families left searching for answers.
“Papa, There’s A Fire, Please Save Me”
Twenty-three-year-old Sukhmani Singh was among those trapped inside the building when the fire broke out.
As smoke filled the structure, Sukhmani called his father and pleaded for help. “My child said, ‘Papa, there’s a fire, please save me’,” his father later recalled.
The family rushed to the scene, hoping they would be able to rescue him. But by the time they arrived, flames and thick black smoke had engulfed the building. Sukhmani never made it out alive.
Mohammad Shahjahan’s Final Call
Another victim, Mohammad Shahjahan from Barabanki, also made a desperate call to his father after getting trapped inside.
“Papa, save me,” were the last words his father heard. He rushed to Lucknow immediately after receiving the call, only to find rescue teams struggling to reach those trapped inside. Shahjahan, the only son of his parents, died before help could reach him. His family says he had moved to Lucknow with dreams of building a successful future.
Students Hid In Bathrooms, Others Tried To Escape
According to eyewitnesses, the fire started on the ground floor where shops dealing with animals were located. It quickly spread to the upper floors, where an animation studio and coaching centre were operating.
As smoke spread through the building, several students reportedly locked themselves inside bathrooms, hoping rescuers would reach them in time. Others attempted to climb down pipes or escape through windows. One student jumped from the first floor in a desperate attempt to survive and suffered serious injuries.
Families Waited Helplessly Outside
As distress calls reached families, relatives rushed to the building. Outside, scenes of panic and heartbreak unfolded. A mother repeatedly pleaded with officials to allow her to enter the building and reach her son.
Local residents also joined rescue efforts, breaking windows and helping emergency teams in any way they could. However, the dense smoke and rapidly spreading fire made rescue operations extremely difficult.
Weddings, Careers And Futures Cut Short
The tragedy claimed not just lives, but also futures. Among those killed were Nilesh Kumar and Anamika Samant, who were preparing to get married. Their families had recently begun wedding preparations, unaware that celebration would soon turn into mourning.
Twenty-five-year-old Aditya Srivastava, who worked at the animation studio, also called colleagues seeking help after getting trapped inside. Unfortunately, rescue teams could not reach him in time.
The fire burned for more than an hour. A total of 24 people were taken to hospitals, of whom 15 were declared dead.
As investigations continue into possible safety lapses and fire compliance violations, grieving families are left with memories of final phone calls that ended in silence. For many parents, the words “Papa, save me” will remain etched in their hearts forever.
