Two dead as fire breaks out at Lucknow hotel

The exact cause of the fire at levana hotel is being ascertained and over two dozen people were rushed to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee hospital, officials said

Two people died after a fire broke out at a hotel in Hazratganj area of the city on Monday even as rescue teams continued to inspect the premises to check if someone was trapped inside, police said.

The incident took place at Levana Suites on Madan Mohan Malviya Marg in Hazratganj area.

"According to the hotel owner, there are 30 rooms in the building and 18 were occupied at the time of the incident. There were 35-40 people there and some had left the hotel in the morning," District Magistrate Suryapal Gangwar told reporters. 

"Fire teams are on the job and many people were taken out of the hotel and have been rushed to the hospital," he said.

Asked about the cause of the incident, the official said, "It may be due to a short-circuit. The exact cause is being ascertained. The hotel owner told us that there is a banquet on the first floor where something happened." Over two dozen people were rushed to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee hospital, officials said.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took cognisance of the incident.

"I came to know about the tragic incident of a fire in a hotel in Lucknow. I have inquired about the situation from the local administration. Relief and rescue operations are on. My office is in constant touch with the local administration. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident," Mr. Singh, who is also the Lucknow MP, said in a tweet.