Lucknow. The 15 students and youth who lost their lives in the massive fire that broke out at the Animation Center and Coaching Institute in Aliganj in the capital did not die of the flames but of suffocation. This important fact has come to light in the post mortem report. According to doctors, no serious external injuries were found on the bodies of the deceased, which could be considered the direct cause of death. In most of the cases, death has been confirmed to be due to smoke exposure and lack of oxygen.
The doctors who conducted the post-mortem said that no major wounds or serious injuries were found on the bodies of the deceased. Clear evidence of excessive burning was also not found on many bodies. However, swelling was seen around the face and eyes of the deceased. Also, particles of soot and smoke were found inside the nose, which made it clear that he had inhaled a large amount of smoke during the fire.
According to doctors, the closed building was filled with smoke rapidly after the fire. Due to this, the people inside started having difficulty in breathing and many people became unconscious. Due to the effects of smoke and poisonous gases, they did not even get a chance to get out. Doctors told the investigating officers that in such circumstances, the lack of oxygen and the effects of poisonous gases could prove fatal within a few minutes.
Experts say that in fire incidents, smoke sometimes proves to be more deadly than flames. Burning of plastics, foams and other synthetic materials releases poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Carbon monoxide affects the ability of the blood to deliver oxygen, which can cause a person to faint and die.
Meanwhile, another important fact has come to light in the investigation. In the four-storey building where this accident took place, commercial activities had been going on for years, but the building owner and the establishment operators had not got the mandatory electrical safety audit done by the electricity department. In the preliminary investigation, this has been included among the possible reasons for the accident.
As per fire department standards, it is necessary to conduct electrical safety audit every three years in commercial buildings and apartments. Due to this, wiring, overloading and other technical flaws are detected in time. But this was not done in the concerned building. Investigating agencies are also probing whether the fire was caused by a short circuit or explosion in the AC compressor.
Treatment of those injured in the accident is continuing at KGMU Trauma Centre. Among these, the condition of animation trainer Jayant Gupta remains critical. When he saw no way to escape during the fire, he jumped from the second floor. After falling on the generator standing below, his spinal cord was seriously injured and his hands were also burnt. He has been admitted to the ICU of the Trauma Center.
Jayant’s father Pradeep Gupta told that his son worked as an instructor at the animation center and was also studying. The family was preparing for her marriage, but this accident has shaken the entire family. The condition of Lovepreet Kaur, who was injured in the accident, is now said to be stable. According to doctors, he has suffered minor injuries and can be discharged from the hospital soon.
It is noteworthy that 15 people had died in the fire in the building located in Aliganj on Monday afternoon, while many others were injured. After the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a high-level inquiry. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter, while the forensic team is also busy investigating the cause of the fire. The administration says that after the investigation report comes, strict action will be taken against the culprits.
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