A massive fire broke out in a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj, killing 15 people and injuring several others.
The victims were mostly students and young professionals associated with an animation training centre and gaming zone.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives.
PM Modi announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
The building had not obtained a fire NOC, and a biometric lock allegedly delayed the escape of those trapped inside.
A two-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the incident.
The cause of the fire remains uncertain, with officials citing a short circuit in an LED billboard or the building's AC duct.
