Lucknow: In the early hours of Tuesday, a fierce fire broke out inside the labour hostel that forms part of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport campus. Thick, choking smoke curled across the area as flames licked the three‑storey structure.
Origin of the Fire
The dormitory, built by Tata Projects with PVC‑clad walls, houses about 352 construction workers engaged in airport‑related projects. Initial investigations point to a laborer igniting a gas cylinder while cooking at roughly 6:30 a.m., which set off a rapid blaze that swept through the building.
Rapid Evacuation of Residents
Upon hearing the alarm, staff initiated an immediate evacuation. Occupants were ushered out within minutes, preventing a potential tragedy. Two workers, identified as Nirmal and Rahul, suffered burn injuries while attempting to retrieve personal belongings; they were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Firefighters Mobilise in Strength
The airport’s fire brigade dispatched nine fire tenders to the scene. Crews confronted a daunting situation as the fire had already consumed large portions of the ground and first floors, with the upper levels also showing signs of scorching. After prolonged effort, they managed to bring the blaze under control.
Numerous personal effects stored in the hostel appear to have been destroyed, and a detailed assessment of the material loss is underway.
Investigation Underway
Police and airport security sealed off the area while rescue operations continued. Officers from Sarojini Nagar police station, led by SHO 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 swiftly.
Thanks to the swift evacuation, no fatalities have been reported, turning what could have been a catastrophic event into a narrowly avoided disaster.
