Massive Fire at Lucknow Coaching Centre Kills 15, Injures 7

NEW DELHI, LUCKNOW: At least 15 people, including students, were killed and several others injured in a major fire that broke out in a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow’s upscale Aliganj locality on Monday afternoon.

Most of the victims were reportedly trapped on the second floor, where students were attending classes at an animation training centre. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

According to KGMU authorities, 22 people were brought to the Trauma Centre. Fifteen were declared brought dead, five were admitted with injuries and were stated to be stable, while two others sustained minor injuries and received treatment.

Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed after the fire was reported around 3 p.m. Firefighters, along with NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence teams, carried out extensive rescue operations. Witnesses said some people jumped from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames.

The building also housed a pet clinic, and animal rights activists feared some animals may have perished in the fire. Officials said the rescue operation continued even after the blaze was brought under control due to heavy smoke inside the building.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and rushed to Lucknow to review the situation. He inspected the affected building on Usha Mehta Marg, reviewed rescue and relief operations, and later visited the injured at King George’s Medical University (KGMU).

The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh each for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 each for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said many of the victims were children who had come to attend animation classes during the summer vacation. He said a high-level inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause of the blaze.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the tragedy.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and expressed grief over the loss of lives. He conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died and directed district officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and extend all necessary support to those affected.

While Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who reached the site, said the fire broke out in an animation centre, the fire department said it started in a coaching centre.

"A few casualties are suspected in the incident," a senior health department official at the site told PTI as rescue workers and others scrambled to assess the magnitude of the damage and how many people were inside at the time of the incident.

While some people were seen jumping out of the building to escape the fire, a few others were feared trapped, claimed eyewitnesses.

Pathak said the priority was to safely rescue anyone trapped inside the building.

"Different figures are coming from eyewitnesses regarding how many people may be trapped. A clear picture will emerge after some time," he said.

"Some of the children have been rescued. Their friends are saying that two-three or three-four children may still be inside. The fire brigade personnel have reached the top floor, but no one has been found inside so far. All rooms and bathrooms have been checked," he said.

Kiran Shukla, an animal rights activist, feared many animals in the pet clinic might have been caught in the blaze.

At least three bodies of animals wrapped in a blanket were taken out of the building at around 4.40 PM, PTI witnessed.

A police official said the local police reached the spot immediately after receiving information and teams from nearby fire stations were rushed with water tenders and firefighting equipment. Later, NDRF, SDRF, and civil defence teams also joined the rescue operation.

Visuals from the scene showed firefighting teams wearing safety gear climbing the building using ladders from outside. Another team was seen attempting to enter from the adjoining building of similar height by creating an access point from the upper side, while other teams continued efforts to douse the flames.

A local told PTI Videos, "When I arrived at the spot, I saw smoke billowing from the building. Some students had already been rescued, and 4 to 5 students managed to come out of the building."

"However, some are still believed to be trapped inside, though the exact number has not been confirmed. Our only hope is that everyone comes out safely. The firefighters took some time to reach the spot," he said.

Another local said, "The fire may have been triggered by a spark. Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves. However, around 20 to 25 students are still feared to be trapped inside."

Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar, who was at the spot, confirmed that a couple of people jumped from the building in order to escape from the fire.

He said it was unclear at the moment if there was any death in the incident.

He said fire personnel had also entered the building from the adjoining structure after breaking a wall, as heavy smoke was making the rescue operation challenging.

"A proper search operation is underway. Our priority is to take the injured to hospital, ensure their best possible treatment and safely evacuate everyone," Pathak said.

He said that hospitals, ambulances and medical teams were ready and arrangements had been made for treatment of any injured students.

The deputy chief minister said the three-storey building housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation centre on the upper floor.

Eyewitnesses said some firefighters entered the building with wet blankets and some injured persons were taken to hospital in ambulances.

Stretchers and body bags were being taken inside the building as flames were brought under control, though smoke continued to pose a challenge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences for the tragic incident. Taking to the X handle of PMO India, he stated, "Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance."

The tweet further added, "an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."