Lucknow fire victims died of smoke inhalation, not burns: Post-mortem report

Lucknow,UPDATED: Jun 24, 2026 17:30 IST

Fifteen people who died in the devastating fire in Lucknow’s Aliganj area succumbed to suffocation after inhaling large quantities of smoke, with post-mortem examinations showing that toxic fumes, not flames, were the primary cause of death, doctors said on Wednesday.

The fire broke out on Monday in a three-storey commercial complex housing an animation centre on Usha Mehta Marg, killing 15 people, most of them students, and injuring several others. The incident triggered widespread outrage, following which the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a high-level probe. Authorities have also started investigations into possible fire safety violations, while the Lucknow Development Authority has issued notices over alleged regulatory lapses linked to the building.

Doctors associated with the examination process told PTI that the post-mortem found no clear evidence of extensive burn injuries or deep wounds that could directly explain the deaths. Instead, they observed swelling around the faces and eyes of several victims and found soot and smoke particles inside their nasal passages, indicating that they had inhaled large quantities of smoke before dying.

“The post-mortem examination has revealed that all 15 victims died due to suffocation caused by smoke inhalation. No major burn injuries or grievous external wounds were found that could be attributed as the direct cause of death,” a senior doctor involved in the examinations told PTI on condition of anonymity. Based on these findings, doctors concluded that all 15 victims died due to asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation, and the observations have been shared with investigating authorities.

Explaining the autopsy findings, the doctor said fires in enclosed spaces often turn deadly because of smoke and toxic gases rather than direct exposure to flames. “In enclosed spaces affected by fire, oxygen levels can rapidly decline while toxic gases accumulate, creating conditions that can lead to suffocation,” the doctor said. “In many cases, trapped occupants do not get sufficient time or opportunity to escape. The deceased must have lost consciousness due to heavy smoke before their deaths,” the doctor told PTI.

Senior doctors said fatalities in fire incidents are often caused by toxic gases present in smoke. When smoke engulfs a confined space, oxygen levels drop sharply, making breathing increasingly difficult. They said burning plastic, foam and other synthetic materials can release poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide, which interferes with the body’s ability to carry oxygen in the blood and can cause unconsciousness and death within a short period.

The state government has announced compensation for the families of the victims and directed officials to inspect educational and commercial establishments across Uttar Pradesh to ensure compliance with fire safety rules. The findings from the post-mortems have now added to the investigation into the Aliganj fire, in which 15 people, most of them youngsters, lost their lives.

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