Couple, three minor daughters killed as massive fire engulfs five-storey building in Kanpur

A devastating fire broke out in a five-story residential-cum-commercial building in Kanpur’s Chamanganj area on Sunday night, claiming the lives of five family members. The blaze, which started around 8:00 p.m., quickly spread through the structure, trapping a family on the top floor. Mohammad Danish (45), his wife Nazneen Saba (42), and their three daughters – Sara (15), Simra (12), and Inaya (7) – were confirmed dead after firefighters battled the flames for several hours. The victims were found on the fourth floor of the building, where the fire had intensified.

The fire reportedly began in the basement of the building, possibly originating from a short circuit in a shoe factory operating on the ground floor. According to officials, the fire spread rapidly due to the high inflammability of materials in the factory, creating thick smoke and high temperatures throughout the building. Firefighters initially struggled to reach the top floors due to dense smoke and the severity of the blaze. The situation worsened when LPG cylinders in the building exploded, further hampering efforts to control the fire and rescue the occupants.

Despite the challenges, over 20 people were rescued by firefighting teams using ladders and other equipment. However, the trapped family on the top floor could not be reached until the fire was controlled. Once the fire was extinguished early on Monday morning, emergency responders discovered the bodies of the family, with the youngest daughter found clinging to her mother. The incident has left the local community in shock, as neighbors and family members were unable to assist in the evacuation due to the intensity of the flames.

Firefighters, along with a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team from Lucknow, were deployed to assist in extinguishing the fire, which lasted for nearly seven hours. A 500-meter radius around the building was cordoned off, and residents from nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure. The fire also spread to a nearby godown, complicating the firefighting efforts. Local authorities confirmed that the building, which housed the families of three brothers, had narrow lanes and dense construction, further complicating the rescue operation.

Initial investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by electrical faults, with a short circuit in the shoe factory being a possible cause. Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage, and an official investigation into the incident is underway to determine the exact cause. Meanwhile, local officials have assured that steps will be taken to address fire safety concerns in similar buildings across the region.