Two children killed as massive fire destroys dozens of huts in Lucknow slum cluster

LUCKNOW: The bodies of an infant and a toddler were recovered early on Thursday following a devastating fire that broke out a day earlier in a slum cluster in Lucknow's Vikas Nagar area, destroying more than two dozen huts and sparking panic among residents.

Officials said the deceased were the two daughters of Satish, a resident of Village Kashipurwa under the Ram Sanehi Ghat Police Station limits in Barabanki district. The victims have been identified as Shruti, aged around two years, and her two-month-old infant sister.

Confirming the casualties, Deeksha Sharma, DCP East, Lucknow, said, "Two bodies were recovered and have been handed over to the family after due procedure."

The fire reportedly erupted on Wednesday evening in a vacant plot located near the Ring Road and quickly spread across the settlement, fuelled by strong winds and the presence of highly combustible materials used in the huts.

Eyewitnesses said thick plumes of black smoke could be seen rising from several kilometres away as flames rapidly engulfed the area.