Heat-resistant shelters replaces plastic sheets after devastating Lucknow slum fire
A major fire that tore through Vikas Nagar in Lucknow on April 15 has left a trail of destruction, displacing over 1,000 people and exposing the vulnerability of informal settlements to recurring disasters.
The blaze broke out in the afternoon in the densely populated locality, home largely to migrant and daily wage workers. Fanned by close-packed structures and narrow lanes, the fire spread rapidly from one makeshift dwelling to another, leaving residents with little time to salvage their belongings. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions during the incident as LPG cylinders caught fire, intensifying the flames and complicating firefighting efforts.
By the time the situation was brought under control, nearly 300 homes had been reduced to ashes. The tragedy also claimed the lives of two young children. In the aftermath, Jodhpur-based non-profit True Hope Foundation has initiated the installation of 100 heat-resistant and waterproof shelters, offering a more secure alternative to the plastic sheets initially used by displaced families.
Early relief efforts by authorities and local groups focused on distributing food and temporary coverings. However, with temperatures in the city crossing 40°C, the plastic tents proved inadequate, offering little insulation from the heat while remaining highly flammable. To address these concerns, the foundation has introduced specially designed 10x20 ft shelters built with heat-reflective materials and waterproof coatings. These structures aim to provide safer and more climate-resilient temporary housing.
“The goal is to move beyond short-term fixes,” said Dhaval Darji. “These families have lost everything. While they wait for permanent rehabilitation, they need shelters that can withstand the current climate and provide a baseline of safety and dignity,” he added.
District officials have verified around 260 affected families residing on PWD-owned land in Sectors 11 and 12. The state government has announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and distributed ration kits to survivors.
