Lucknow: In the early hours of Tuesday, a raging fire broke out inside the labour quarters that form part of the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport complex. Thick, choking smoke spread across the area as flames licked the three‑storey structure.
What Triggered the Fire
The dormitory, built by Tata Projects with PVC‑clad walls, houses about 352 construction workers engaged on airport projects. Initial investigations suggest the fire started around 6:30 a.m. when a worker was cooking on a gas cylinder, causing the blaze to sweep through the building within minutes.
Rapid Evacuation of Residents
Once the alarm sounded, staff initiated an immediate evacuation. Occupants were guided out of the premises in a matter of minutes, preventing a potential tragedy. Two workers, identified as Nirmal and Rahul, suffered burns while attempting to save personal belongings and were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Firefighters Arrive in Full Strength
The airport’s fire brigade sent nine fire tenders to the location. Crews confronted a daunting scene as the fire had already consumed large portions of the ground and first floors, with the upper levels also showing signs of scorching. After sustained effort, they managed to bring the blaze under control.
Numerous personal effects stored in the dormitory appear to have been destroyed, and a comprehensive loss assessment is currently underway.
Investigation Initiated
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 examining how the flames spread so swiftly.
Thanks to the quick evacuation, no fatalities have been reported, turning what could have been a catastrophic event into a narrowly avoided disaster.
