India, June 23 -- At least 15 people were killed in a devastating fire at a three-storey building in Lucknow's Aliganj area, which investigators have now found was originally approved as a residential structure but was being used for commercial activities, including coaching classes and training centres.

Preliminary findings suggest that serious safety violations worsened the tragedy, with reports indicating the building had no proper emergency exit and only a single staircase, making escape nearly impossible once the fire spread rapidly through the structure.

Officials said the blaze broke out on Monday afternoon and quickly engulfed the building, trapping students and staff inside. Many victims were unable to escape as thick smoke fil...