A major fire broke out at two hotels in the busy area of the city early this morning, killing at least five people and critically injuring four, police said.
The fire broke out at a hotel in the Charbagh area near the railway station here at around 6AM and spread to an adjacent hotel, police said.
As many as 55 people, including the hotel staff, were rescued, a senior police official said.
ADG Lucknow zone has been directed to inquire into the incident, Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said.
People living in and around the densely populated area woke up to the hooting siren of fire tenders and ambulances that virtually made a bee-line to the congested area.
Around 60 people were occupying rooms in these two hotels when the incident occurred.
"Five people have died, while four others have been hospitalised with severe burns. As many as 55 people, including staff of both the hotels, were evacuated," Superintendent of Police (Lucknow West) Vikas Chand Tripathi told PTI.
"Around 15 fire tenders were pressed into service to control the blaze," he said.
About the cause of the fire, Tripathi said, "It seems there was a short circuit."
Senior minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who visited the site, said, "I have come to know that the mishap took place reportedly due to short circuit. We will inquire into the exact cause and come out with a report in a week."
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the fire.
"The chief minister has directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured," an official spokesperson said.
The government has decided to give an an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the the family members of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each of the grievously injured has been announced.
Two charred bodies have been identified, DIG (law and order) Praveen Kumar told reporters at his briefing.
They are Priyanash Sharma (40) from Aligarh and an 18-month girl Maher from Kanpur, he said.
Kumar also said, "The map of one of the hotels was not approved, while there was no staff to handle fire fighting equipment in the neighbouring hotel.
Cases have been registered against the owners of both the hotels under various sections of the IPC, he added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)