Street vendors turn saviors, provide aid to survivors of Lucknow fire

As hundreds of families struggle to rebuild their lives after the devastating fire, an unlikely group has emerged as a lifeline – small kiosk owners and street vendors who set aside part of their daily earnings to feed the displaced.

In the past few days, many of these vendors have not returned to their usual street corners where they operate tea stalls, snack carts and small kiosks. Instead, they moved the base to the remains of the slum and distributed food to the affected families.

“I haven’t opened my stall since the fire,” said Ramesh Kumar, a tea seller who usually stands near a busy Tedhipuliya intersection. “What business will I do if people here don’t even have food to eat? Right now it’s more important to feed them.”

In the effort, Imran, who runs a biryani cart in Aminabad, cooked large batches of rice and meat at home before bringing it to the site. “I sell biryani every day, but for the last two days I am serving it here only,” he said. “When I saw children asking for food, I couldn’t go back to normal business.”

Suresh, a samosa seller from Aliganj, said he has been grilling since early morning and distributing it in the afternoon. “I usually sell hundreds of samosas a day. Now I give them away here. Profit can wait, hunger can’t,” he said.

Nearby, Pappu, known for his roadside stall in Gomti Nagar, was seen distributing freshly made cutlets to children. “These kids remind me of my own,” he said. “If they are hungry, how can I sit at my shop and sell food?”

Every morning, Jaikaran arrives from Gomti Nagar with large containers of cooked food—biryani, prepared at home or pooled together with contributions from fellow vendors. At noon, he moves from one temporary shelter to another, to ensure that no one sleeps hungry.

“For many fire-affected families, these meals have become a crucial support system, especially for those who have not yet received adequate relief. Children gather around the carts with plates in hand, while elderly residents bless the vendors for their efforts,” said Rahil Ahmad, a Sector 11 resident, who also distributes food to the affected.

“We had nothing left, not even utensils,” said Rama Devi, a woman whose hut was destroyed. “These people feed us like family. For us, they are nothing less than messiahs.”

Viral Videos, True Relief: Social Media to the Rescue

As thick plumes of black smoke billowed over Vikas Nagar and videos of the fire flooded social media, what started as a moment of shock for Lucknowites quickly turned into an outpouring of support for hundreds left homeless.

In the days following the fire, much of the relief that reached affected families was mobilized through Instagram roles, posts and online appeals. From footage of the inferno to images of charred homes and displaced families, content shared widely across platforms prompted individuals, influencers and local groups to step in with financial and material aid.

While authorities managed firefighting operations, much of the immediate relief on the ground came from individuals, NGOs and community groups.

“The moment those videos started circulating, people started reaching out,” said Khushi Kanaujia, 21, a local volunteer of NGO “PKaum” involved in coordinating aid.

“We saw contributions coming in from all over the city and from people who just saw the situation online,” said Sparsh Verma, 17, another volunteer at the site.

Various Instagram users and influencers have launched crowdfunding campaigns, sharing payment details and regular updates to ensure transparency.

In many cases, these posts have been reshared thousands of times, amplifying their reach and accelerating support.

For survivors, the digital response translated into immediate help. “We have received essentials like clothes, food and temporary shelter support through these online efforts,” said young victim Ishan, a Class 12 student, when asked where they get help from.

“The videos showed everything, the fire, the destruction, and people were left with nothing. It moved people to act,” said another volunteer Shruti Negi, 22, member of a Lucknow-based NGO.

“Families sitting amid rubble, saving what little is left, and children without shelter. These images struck a chord and turned social media into a crucial link between victims and donors,” said Lucknow-based influencer Saquib, who runs the page I Love Lucknow.