At least 15 people died in a fire that broke out in a building in the northern Indian city of Lucknow on Monday, prompting an official inquiry. The building housed a pet shop and an animation center.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes as people jumped from windows and climbed down cables to escape, while rescue teams broke through a wall to save lives. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Authorities said the building lacked emergency exits, trapping people inside as smoke spread. The tragedy has renewed concerns about fire safety in India's densely packed commercial buildings, with several deadly blazes in recent months exposing violations of fire safety rules.

The victims included trainees and employees who were inside when the fire started. Brajesh Pathak, deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state, told reporters: "An inquiry has been initiated. Authorities have been directed to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future."

The fire was reported around 14:45 local time in Lucknow's densely populated Aliganj area. Flames and smoke engulfed the building's only staircase, cutting off the sole exit. Firefighters reached the terrace via a neighboring building and breached a side wall to begin rescue efforts.

Witnesses described panic as people trapped inside tried to escape the smoke. Some climbed down power cables, others jumped from windows. Several victims managed to contact relatives while trapped. One father told BBC Hindi his son called saying: "Papa, there's a fire. Save me, I'm trapped inside."

Police have filed charges over acts causing or endangering life and arrested four people in connection with the fire. Four public officials have also been suspended. The Lucknow fire comes less than a month after a blaze at a bed-and-breakfast in Delhi killed several people.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk