India, June 23 -- A suspected short circuit in an air conditioner triggered a devastating fire in Lucknow's Aliganj locality on Monday, killing at least 15 people. Beyond the tragic loss of human life, numerous animals are missing, feared to have died of smoke inhalation or perished in the flames. An official confirmation has not been made yet.

Charu Khare, an animal activist and rescuer from Aasra-The Helping Hand, was among the first to reach the scene. "The place where animals were placed at the fatal hour were in the Aliganj Pet Shop and Hospital that recently relocated. At that point over 20-25 animals including dogs, birds, cats and rabbits were present and somewhere over 10 are still missing," she says and adds, "What could be sav...