Bhubaneswar: A major fire broke out in the Vikas Nagar area of Lucknow on Wednesday evening, destroying more than 280 makeshift homes and leaving over 1,000 people homeless, most of them migrant workers.
The blaze reportedly started around 5:30 pm and spread rapidly through the densely packed settlement, triggering panic among residents. The situation worsened as multiple LPG cylinders stored inside the huts began exploding. Officials said over 50 cylinders were present in the area, intensifying the fire and complicating firefighting efforts.
Despite the scale of destruction, no casualties were reported. Amrendra Sengar confirmed that residents managed to evacuate in time. However, the incident caused extensive damage, with many families losing their homes and belongings.
Fire department teams, along with police and district administration officials, rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) also joined the operation.
Around 20 fire engines battled the flames for nearly three hours before bringing the situation under control. As a precautionary measure, about 20 nearby houses were evacuated to prevent further spread.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit that came into contact with a gas cylinder, leading to the initial explosion and rapid escalation.
Authorities are assessing the damage and are expected to initiate relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected families.
-OdishaAge
