Inferno in Vikas Nagar: Slum Devastated by Fire

A massive blaze erupted in a slum cluster in Vikas Nagar, the state capital, on Wednesday evening, engulfing more than two dozen shanties and triggering widespread panic. Officials confirmed that the fire is largely under control, with cooling operations ongoing; no fatalities or major injuries were reported in the initial assessment.

The fire began in a vacant plot near the Ring Road late in the afternoon and spread swiftly, fanned by strong winds and the presence of flammable materials within the huts. Witnesses noted several small LPG cylinders bursting amid the heat, though official confirmation remains pending. The fire generated thick plumes of smoke visible from miles away.

Emergency response included at least 10 fire tenders dispatched to battle the fierce flames, with efforts hampered by explosions of cooking gas cylinders inside the dwellings. The disaster prompted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to direct officials to speed up relief and rescue operations. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the incident.