LUCKNOW: Lucknow witnessed one of its deadliest educational infrastructure disasters on Monday after a massive fire engulfed a commercial building housing a coaching centre in the Aliganj area. The incident claimed the lives of at least 14 students, while several others sustained injuries during desperate attempts to escape the flames.
Fire Broke Out During Afternoon Hours
According to officials, the blaze erupted around 3 pm inside a multi-storey commercial building situated in a busy part of Aliganj. The building housed a coaching centre along with several other establishments, including a gaming zone, pet clinic and retail shops. The fire spread rapidly, filling the premises with thick smoke and trapping numerous students inside.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of complete panic as students rushed towards exits while smoke quickly engulfed the structure. Several windows were shattered during rescue efforts to create escape routes.
Students Jumped From First Floor to Escape
Disturbing visuals from the incident surfaced online, showing students attempting to flee through windows and jumping from the first floor to avoid being trapped.
One widely circulated video captured an individual trying to climb down from a broken window before losing balance and falling onto a fence below. Bystanders immediately rushed to help and carried him to safety before he was shifted for medical treatment.
Witnesses said several students sustained fractures and other injuries while trying to escape the rapidly spreading fire.
Massive Rescue Operation Launched
Police personnel, firefighters, emergency responders, NDRF, SDRF and civil defence teams were deployed to carry out rescue operations.
Authorities used ladders and hydraulic platforms to access upper floors. Rescue teams also created openings through an adjoining building to reach trapped individuals while the fire was still active. Multiple fire tenders battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control.
After an extensive search, officials confirmed that no one remained trapped inside the building.
Casualties and Injuries
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed that 14 students lost their lives in the tragedy.
Several injured victims were admitted to the trauma centre at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) for treatment. Authorities stated that ensuring proper medical care for survivors remains the government’s immediate priority.
Officials also announced that a high-level inquiry would determine the exact cause of the fire and identify any negligence involved.
Preliminary Cause Under Investigation
Investigators have not yet officially confirmed the cause of the blaze. However, some eyewitness accounts suggested that an electrical fault or short circuit may have triggered the fire.
Authorities have urged people not to speculate until forensic teams complete their assessment and submit findings.
The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety compliance in coaching institutes and commercial buildings operating in densely populated urban areas.
Political Leadership Responds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Families of each deceased victim will receive ₹2 lakh, while every injured person will be given ₹50,000 as compensation.
Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath cancelled his scheduled engagements and rushed back to Lucknow after receiving updates about the incident. He instructed senior officials to oversee relief efforts and submit a detailed report.
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Growing Questions Over Safety Standards
The tragedy has sparked fresh debate over safety preparedness in educational institutions operating inside commercial complexes.
Experts say many coaching centres across Indian cities function in buildings originally designed for commercial use rather than educational purposes, often without adequate emergency exits, smoke management systems or evacuation protocols.
Authorities are now expected to intensify inspections and review fire safety compliance across similar establishments to prevent such incidents in the future.
