Lucknow: Police have begun a detailed probe after a preliminary inquiry revealed multiple possible causes behind the Vikas Nagar fire that gutted over 280 shanties and killed two sisters. According to officials, one of the key angles under scrutiny is a fire that allegedly broke out around 4 pm at a makeshift canteen located adjacent to a country liquor shop near the settlement. Eyewitnesses said flames were first noticed at the canteen, following which locals attempted to douse the fire with water. However, the blaze quickly spread to nearby shanties and soon engulfed the entire cluster. Another possibility being probed is that a spark during cooking in one of the shanties could have triggered the blaze, which then spread rapidly due to strong winds and the close proximity of the huts. “The structures were densely packed, which allowed the fire to spread within minutes,” an officer said. In addition, police are also probing allegations made by some residents of a possible conspiracy linked to a land dispute. Locals claimed that a nearby plot owner had allegedly been threatening to remove the shanties and had even issued warnings about setting them on fire by April 15. “We have taken note of these allegations and are verifying all claims,” police said. Earlier inputs also indicated that a minor dispute between two residents shortly before the incident may have played a role, though officials said it is too early to establish a direct link. Police have roped in forensic experts and fire department teams to determine the exact cause of the blaze. “All angles, including the liquor outlet, accidental fire, and alleged dispute, are being thoroughly examined. The cause will be established based on scientific evidence,” a senior officer said.
