Heartbreaking final phone calls emerged from the deadly Lucknow fire that killed 15 people
June 22, 2026: A devastating fire at a commercial building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area claimed 15 lives, leaving grieving families with heartbreaking memories of their loved ones’ final moments. One of the victims, 23-year-old Sukhmani, reportedly called his father while trapped inside the burning building, repeatedly pleading, “Papa, save me.” His family rushed to the scene after receiving the call, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. Sukhmani had recently completed an animation and 3D design course and was working at the centre where the fire broke out.
Another victim, Aditya Srivastava, also made a desperate call for help. According to his friend Abhishek, Aditya asked him to gather people and rescue those trapped inside, saying that around 20 to 25 individuals were unable to escape. Eyewitnesses alleged that the building lacked basic fire safety measures, including emergency exits and fire extinguishers. Local residents reportedly attempted rescue operations using hammers and axes before emergency teams gained access to the structure.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his Aligarh visit and returned to Lucknow, directing senior officials to personally oversee rescue operations and submit a detailed report. He assured that those responsible for any negligence would face strict action while extending condolences to the affected families.