India, April 17 -- LUCKNOW As the smoke clears over the remains of the Vikas Nagar slum cluster, investigators and local residents are grappling with conflicting accounts of what triggered the massive blaze that displaced 1,000 people. While the fire department maintains that a definitive cause is pending a high-level probe, three primary theories have surfaced to explain the Wednesday evening tragedy.

As per locals, one of the possible triggers is a fire that allegedly started near a makeshift canteen located close to a liquor shop around 4pm on Wednesday. Eyewitnesses said flames suddenly erupted from the spot and intensified quickly. Residents attempted to douse the fire using water, but failed to contain it. Within minutes, LPG cylin...