Death trap: Lucknow fire tragedy lays bare perilous pattern
Published on: June 24, 2026, 1:12 a.m. | Source: The Tribune
Two major fire tragedies in just three weeks have shocked and saddened the nation. First New Delhi, then Lucknow — which city will be next? Is there no escape from such a death trap for hapless citizens across the country? The Lucknow blaze that snuffed out 15 lives was ignited by criminal negligence and corruption. Students chasing careers and dreams died inside a building that had no business functioning as a commercial establishment. The details are chilling: a three-storey premises operating with a single entry and exit point; no emergency staircase; no smoke ventilation system; flammable material crammed into lower floors; a biometric locking system that jammed during the power failure, trapping victims inside a smoke chamber.
