Two people died as a fire broke out at a hotel in Hazratganj area of the city on Monday even as rescue teams continued to inspect the premises to check if someone was trapped inside, police said.The incident took place at Levana Suites on Madan Mohan Malviya Marg in Hazratganj area.
“According to the hotel owner, there are 30 rooms in the building and 18 were occupied at the time. There were 35-40 people there and some had left the hotel in the morning,” District Magistrate Suryapal Gangwar told reporters. “Fire teams are on the job and many people were taken out of the hotel and have been rushed to the hospital,” he said.
Asked about the cause of the incident, the official said, “It may be due to short-circuit. The exact cause is being ascertained. The hotel owner told us that there is a banquet on the first floor where something happened.” Over two dozen people were rushed to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee hospital, officials said.Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took cognisance of the incident.”I came to know about the tragic incident of a fire in a hotel in Lucknow. I have enquired about the situation from the local administration. Relief and rescue operations are on. My office is in constant touch with the local administration. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident,” Singh, who is also the Lucknow MP, said in a tweet.Adityanath reached the hospital and enquired about the health of the injured. He also directed the officials concerned to provide best treatment to the injured.Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said two people lost their lives, adding that a probe had been ordered and strict action would be taken against the guilty.”We will also see that recurrence of such incidents does not take place and directives will be issued for the entire state,” he said.The minister said free treatment would be provided to the injured.Director (Information) Shishir Singh said the commissioner, Lucknow division, and police commissioner, Lucknow, would jointly probe the incident.Fumes were seen coming out of the hotel, creating panic in the area. Fire teams had a tough time dousing the flames after breaking the glass panes.
