Lucknow: Three people, including a minor, were killed after a fire broke out, triggered by lightning, in Saraiya Chhalakapur village of Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur district, police said on Sunday.
Three people, including a seven-year-old, killed in Sitapur, UP, after a lightning-triggered fire destroyed multiple houses. (Representative photo)
Police identified the deceased as Phoolmati, her 60-year-old mother Dura, and seven-year-old Mahi.
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Mahi was initially taken to the community health centre in Biswan, where she died during treatment, police officers said.
According to locals, lightning struck a house in the village, triggering the fire, but within minutes the blaze spread to nearby houses.
Villagers said they raised an alarm and helped people evacuate their homes as the fire spread, but by the time the flames were brought under control, several houses had already been gutted.
On receiving information, the administration swung into action. Local MLA Asha Maurya asked administrative officials, police officers, fire brigade, and health department teams to reach the spot and begin relief and rescue operations. She also left for the village to take stock of the situation.
Police said the bodies were taken into custody and sent for post-mortem examination.
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Officials said an assessment of the damage caused to houses and household belongings is being carried out, and affected families would be provided all possible assistance.
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Officials said an assessment of the damage caused to houses and household belongings is being carried out, and affected families would be provided all possible assistance.
Rohit Kumar Singh is a senior journalist based in Lucknow and currently serves as Special Correspondent and City Chief with Hindustan Times. With over 25 years of experience in journalism, he specialises in investigative reporting, with a strong focus on crime, policing, internal security, terrorism, governance and public policy in Uttar Pradesh. He began his journalism career in 2000 and joined Hindustan Times in June 2008 after working with The Daily Pioneer and Sahara Samay. Over the years, he has produced numerous high-impact investigative and exclusive reports on organised crime, terrorism, law enforcement, politics, governance and public administration. Rohit has extensively covered major criminal investigations, terror incidents, elections, police reforms, anti-terror operations, corruption, communal violence and other sensitive security issues. His reporting is recognised for its accuracy, depth, strong sourcing and analytical approach, making him one of the most respected journalists covering the police and internal security beat in Uttar Pradesh. Throughout his career, he has consistently delivered stories that have shaped public discourse, exposed systemic lapses and promoted accountability in governance and law enforcement. He continues to focus on public-interest journalism, combining investigative reporting with in-depth analysis of issues that impact governance and public safety.
