Indian authorities have launched an investigation after a devastating fire tore through a commercial building in the northern city of Lucknow, killing at least 15 people and injuring several others.

The blaze broke out on Monday afternoon in the densely populated Aliganj area, trapping dozens of people inside a three-storey building that housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation and 3D gaming centre on the upper floors.

Officials said the building lacked adequate emergency exits, and the only staircase was quickly engulfed by flames and thick smoke, cutting off escape routes for those inside.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people desperately tried to save themselves. Some climbed down power cables, while others jumped from windows as smoke filled the building. Residents nearby attempted to help by breaking windows to create escape routes for those trapped inside.

Firefighters reached the rooftop through a neighbouring building and broke through a side wall to rescue victims. However, many people, including trainees and employees working in the animation centre, were unable to escape.

Families of the victims recounted heartbreaking final conversations with loved ones trapped in the fire. Several victims reportedly called relatives pleading for help as the smoke spread through the building.

Authorities are also investigating claims that a biometric access system inside the premises may have complicated evacuation efforts during the emergency.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed that an official inquiry had been ordered and pledged measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Police have filed charges related to acts endangering life and have arrested four people in connection with the incident. Four public officials have also been suspended as investigations continue.

The disaster has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety standards in India, where a series of deadly fires in commercial and residential buildings in recent months have exposed widespread violations of safety regulations.

The Lucknow tragedy comes less than a month after another fatal fire at a guesthouse in New Delhi claimed several lives, renewing calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety laws across the country.

Iran has denied claims by US Vice-President JD Vance that it has agreed to allow international nuclear inspectors back into the country following the first round of negotiations aimed at securing a final agreement to end tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking after talks in the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock, Vance said discussions involving the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could begin within days and suggested inspectors could be invited back as early as Monday.

However, Iran’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected the claim. Spokesman Esmail Baqai told state media that Tehran had made “no new commitments” regarding nuclear inspections and insisted any future cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog would follow existing procedures approved by Iran’s parliament and national security authorities.

The disagreement emerged as the United States announced a major easing of sanctions on Iran. A 60-day waiver issued by the US Treasury allows Iran to sell oil in US dollars and conduct related banking, insurance and transportation transactions, marking a significant shift in decades of US restrictions.

The waiver, which runs until 21 August, permits the production, sale and delivery of Iranian crude and petrochemical products, including direct exports to the United States.

According to mediators Qatar and Pakistan, both sides agreed during the talks to a roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal within 60 days. The discussions also focused on maintaining stability in the Strait of Hormuz and preventing misunderstandings that could threaten regional security.

US officials said Iran had committed to keeping the vital shipping route open and allowing the return of nuclear inspectors. President Donald Trump also stated that Iran would agree to major weapons inspections as part of the process.

Tehran, however, has not publicly endorsed those claims. Iran suspended IAEA access to sites targeted during last year’s conflict with Israel and the United States, and the agency later withdrew its remaining inspectors from the country.

Vance revealed that negotiations had nearly collapsed after Trump warned Iran on social media that the US could respond forcefully if tensions escalated again. According to the vice-president, Iranian negotiators considered leaving the talks before discussions eventually continued.

Trump reiterated his warning on Monday, saying the United States would act if Iran failed to honour any future agreement.

The talks also produced agreements aimed at reducing regional tensions. Mediators announced the creation of a direct communication channel to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as a de-confliction mechanism involving the US, Iran and Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi described developments in Lebanon as the first major test of the new diplomatic efforts, as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah continues to hold.

Negotiating teams are expected to begin detailed discussions on nuclear issues, sanctions relief and regional security in the coming days as efforts to secure a broader agreement move forward.

Iran has reaffirmed its intention to maintain control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz following the conclusion of technical negotiations with the United States in Switzerland, even as both sides continue efforts to reach a broader agreement aimed at ending tensions in the region.

The development comes after US Vice President JD Vance described the recent negotiations as a “very good foundation” for a final settlement, while noting that Washington had suspended sanctions on Iranian oil as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Despite progress in talks, major issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and the future management of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved.

Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that technical discussions between both countries had ended, with working groups expected to be established to address sanctions and nuclear-related matters.

However, Tehran made it clear that it would not relinquish authority over the vital waterway.

“The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war conditions and will be administered by the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law,” Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said, according to state media reports.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, briefly reopened after an agreement was reached between Washington and Tehran last week. However, Iran announced on Saturday that it had closed the route again in response to Israeli military actions in Lebanon.

As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts, mediators from Qatar and Pakistan said both countries had agreed to establish a communication channel designed to prevent misunderstandings and ensure safer passage for commercial vessels using the waterway.

Iranian state media also reported that Washington had agreed to release $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets and temporarily ease restrictions on the country’s oil exports.

The US Treasury confirmed that sanctions relief would allow Iran to produce, sell and transport crude oil and related products until August 21.

However, Vance stressed that the assets had not yet been released and maintained that any funds eventually made available would be directed toward legitimate commercial activities rather than militant operations.

Iran has faced decades of economic sanctions and asset freezes imposed by the United States and several Western countries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the government of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

The latest negotiations have boosted hopes for a longer-term settlement between both countries and contributed to a decline in global oil prices.

Pakistan and Qatar, which are helping facilitate the discussions, said negotiators had agreed on a roadmap aimed at producing a final agreement within a renewable 60-day timeframe.

“Encouraging progress has been made,” the mediators said, noting that a direct communication mechanism had already been established to reduce the risk of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatic activity is expected to continue in the coming days. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to visit Pakistan following the Swiss talks, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to tour the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain to discuss the evolving agreement and regional security concerns.

Vance also indicated that Iran had agreed to allow United Nations nuclear inspectors to return to the country. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei suggested that nuclear discussions remained limited.

“a very brief discussion took place regarding the nuclear issue, but there was no discussion of details.”

The inspections, originally established under the 2015 nuclear agreement, were suspended after Iranian nuclear facilities were targeted during Israeli-American military operations in June 2025.

Since then, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have not been granted access to the affected sites, leaving uncertainty over the status of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons while insisting on its right to maintain a civilian nuclear energy programme.

The negotiations have also expanded to include developments in Lebanon, where Iran sought discussions on the conflict involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

According to reports, a conflict-management mechanism may be established to help de-escalate fighting in Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that he recently discussed ceasefire efforts and possible conflict-management arrangements with Vance.

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon has reportedly resulted in more than 4,100 deaths and displaced over one million people, according to official figures.