Fire breaks out in high-rise in Gomti Nagar Extension

Lucknow: Fire broke out at a flat in a high-rise apartment near the UP Police headquarters in Gomti Nagar Extension on Friday morning. Police said the fire erupted in the flat due to a short circuit in an air-conditioner unit, causing thick smoke that engulfed the floor. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze was so intense that it could be seen from a distance. However, a major disaster was averted due to the presence of in-house firefighting systems in the building. Fire safety equipment installed within the apartment complex was promptly used by residents and staff to douse the flames.Fire station officer Sushil Yadav told TOI that the fire was brought under control within 10 to 15 minutes, even before fire department teams could reach the spot. "No casualty or injuries were reported. The situation was handled swiftly due to the availability of fire safety measures in the building," he said.Another fire broke out in a furniture workshop owned by one Zulfikar behind Subhash Building in Chowk. Three fire tenders were pressed into service, and they managed to control the blaze in a 45-minute operation. Preliminary inquiries suggest that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, although the exact cause is yet to be officially confirmed.