SIT member Praveen Kumar IPS conducts an inspection at the site after a fire engulfed a three-story commercial building (L) and a team of Uttar Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory at the site. (Photo | PTI)
Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow fire: LDA issues demolition notice for three-storey building; SIT begins probe

The investigation is aimed at ascertaining the cause of the fire, possible lapses and responsibility in connection with the blaze that broke out in the three-storey commercial building.

TNIE online desk

The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has issued a demolition notice for the commercial building in Aliganj where a fire claimed at least 15 lives, officials said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to probe the tragedy, visited the site on Tuesday morning and began its investigation into the incident.

The SIT, formed on the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, comprises Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Amrit Abhijat and Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow Zone, Praveen Kumar.

"We have come here and will investigate all aspects of the incident. We will complete the probe within the stipulated time and ensure necessary action," Praveen Kumar told reporters at the site.

Before the SIT team arrived, a six-member team of forensic laboratory experts had reached the spot in the morning and started examining the scene.

The investigation is aimed at ascertaining the cause of the fire, possible lapses and responsibility in connection with the blaze that broke out in the three-storey commercial building on Usha Mehta Marg in Sector D of Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday.

Authorities have also launched a crackdown against its own officials in connection with the illegal operation of the residential building as a commercial space.

The three-storey building was issued a demolition order in 2016 over unauthorised construction but it was revoked less than two months later.

"We have once again issued a demolition notice over (construction) violations for the Aliganj building where the fire incident took place on Monday," LDA Vice Chairperson Prathamesh Kumar told PTI.

"We have also initiated inquiry against officials for laxity and action will be taken against them," Kumar said.

The process to identify such officials and their role in the negligence has begun.

The massive fire broke out on Monday afternoon in the three-floor commercial building housing an animation centre, killing at least 15 people, mostly students, and injuring nine others.

(With inputs from PTI)

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