Vikas Nagar Blaze: Onlookers to face action for hindering rescue operations

Lucknow: Taking stern action against commuters and onlookers during the massive fire in Vikas Nagar, police have decided to initiate legal proceedings against them for allegedly obstructing emergency operations by blocking key roads and filming the incident on their mobile phones.According to officials, a large number of people gathered at the site soon after the blaze broke out, leading to severe congestion on the main approach road. This crowding, police said, significantly hampered the movement of fire tenders at a crucial time when every minute was vital to contain the rapidly spreading flames.“The congestion caused by bystanders delayed firefighting efforts. Fire tenders faced difficulty reaching the core area due to blocked access routes,” a senior police officer said, adding that such interference can have serious consequences during disaster response.Police noted that instead of assisting in clearing the road, many individuals were seen recording videos and taking photographs, further worsening the situation. They termed this behaviour irresponsible and dangerous, especially in an emergency involving risk to life and property.Officials said that CCTV footage from nearby areas, along with media visuals and videos circulated on social media, will be analysed to identify those who blocked roads and created hurdles for emergency services, SHO Vikasnagar Alok Kumar Singh said.Cases will be registered against the identified individuals under relevant sections for obstructing public servants in the discharge of duty, police said. They added that strict action would be taken to ensure accountability and deter such conduct in future incidents.The police have also appealed to citizens to act responsibly during emergencies by cooperating with authorities, avoiding crowding at incident sites, and ensuring that rescue and firefighting teams are able to carry out their duties without obstruction.