The Fire Services Department said the three-storey Aliganj building where 15 people died in a Monday fire did not require a no-objection certificate under national building norms. Officials stated the structure was absent from department records and measured about 12 metres high with a built-up area of 185 square metres. A special investigation team began probing the incident on Tuesday.
A senior Fire Department official told The Indian Express that owners had not sought a fire NOC in the 13 years since purchasing the property in 2013. The official cited National Building Code 2016 rules exempting buildings up to 15 metres in height. The department’s preliminary findings indicated the fire started after a split air-conditioner unit exploded on the first floor.
Lucknow Development Authority records showed the building received residential approval in 2014. A demolition notice issued in 2016 for unauthorised commercial use was later revoked after the owner appealed. LDA Vice-Chairman Prathmesh Kumar said a fresh 15-day demolition notice has now been issued and action is recommended against the officer who withdrew the earlier order.
Four people have been arrested and four officials suspended, including Indira Nagar Fire Station Officer Kamlendra Kumar Singh. Singh released a video statement claiming the Chief Fire Officer bore responsibility for oversight failures. The state government has ordered safety audits of coaching centres across Uttar Pradesh districts.
