Lucknow

A day after accusing senior fire department officials of negligence in connection with the Aliganj fire incident that resulted in 15 deaths, suspended Fire Station Second Officer (FSSO) Kamlesh Kumar Singh has withdrawn his earlier claims.

In a video released on social media on Wednesday, Singh said he was emotionally disturbed by the tragedy and that his mental state had influenced his previous statements.

He stated that he had been “misled” while recording the earlier video and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the fire.

Singh also voiced confidence in senior officials and the ongoing inquiry, saying he expected a fair investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident.

He issued a public apology for his earlier remarks, in which he had blamed the Lucknow Chief Fire Officer for alleged lapses and had also sought a review of disciplinary action taken against him.

In his previous statement on Tuesday, Singh had also written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, claiming that his responsibilities were limited to inspections and reporting duties, and that he did not have authority over fire clearances or enforcement of safety regulations at a broader level.

The controversy comes in the wake of the devastating blaze that erupted on Monday in a three-storey building on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj. Although the structure was approved for residential use, it was allegedly being used for commercial purposes and housed multiple businesses, including an animation centre, a pet shop, and a clinic.

The fire claimed 15 lives and left several others injured, triggering a large-scale investigation.

Following the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government suspended four officials, including Kamlesh Kumar Singh. Four individuals have been arrested, and police have registered a case against six named accused and others under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Uttar Pradesh Fire and Emergency Services Act.

READ MORE: How Amal Ayub's Bridalbug.Co is redefining luxury weddings

Authorities continue to probe the cause of the fire as well as possible violations of building and fire safety norms.