Lucknow: In the early hours of Tuesday, a raging fire broke out inside the labour accommodation complex that forms part of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. Thick, choking smoke poured over the site as flames licked the three‑storey structure.
Origin of the Fire
The hostel, built by Tata Projects with PVC‑clad walls, houses about 352 construction workers engaged in airport‑related projects. Initial findings suggest the fire ignited at approximately 6:30 a.m. when a worker was using a gas cylinder for cooking. The blaze quickly spread, putting hundreds of occupants at risk.
Rapid Evacuation of Residents
Upon hearing the alarm, staff initiated an immediate evacuation. Workers were guided out of the building within minutes, preventing a potential catastrophe. Two labourers, identified as Nirmal and Rahul, suffered burn injuries while attempting to salvage personal belongings; they were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Firefighters Arrive in Numbers
The airport’s fire brigade dispatched nine fire tenders to tackle the inferno. Crews confronted a daunting task as the fire had already engulfed several sections of the three‑storey block. After sustained effort, they managed to bring the flames under control. The ground and first floors incurred severe damage, while the upper levels also showed signs of scorching.
Numerous personal effects stored inside the hostel appear to have been destroyed, and a comprehensive assessment of the material loss is underway.
Investigation Underway
Police and airport security sealed off the perimeter while rescue operations continued. Officers from Sarojini Nagar police station, led by Station House Officer Rajdev Prajapati, arrived to record statements and gather evidence. The precise cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities probing how the flames spread so rapidly.
Thanks to the swift evacuation, no fatalities have been reported, turning what could have been a disastrous event into a narrowly avoided tragedy.
