15 Students Killed, Several Injured in Devastating Fire at Lucknow Coaching Centre; UP Govt Orders Probe.
Lucknow:
At least 15 students lost their lives and several others were injured after a massive fire broke out at a private coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, triggering a large-scale rescue operation and prompting the Uttar Pradesh government to order an inquiry into the tragedy.
The fire erupted around 3 p.m. in Sector-D of Aliganj when dozens of students were present inside the building. The multi-storey structure housed a pet shop and a gaming zone on the lower floors, while a coaching centre and library operated on the third floor.
According to officials, the blaze spread rapidly through the building within minutes, trapping students amid thick smoke and causing panic among those inside. Several students reportedly jumped from the upper floors in desperate attempts to escape the flames.
Dr. Amiya Agrawal, Medical Superintendent of the Trauma Centre at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), said that between 21 and 22 students were brought to the hospital following the incident.
“A total of 21-22 students were brought here. Five of them sustained injuries and have been admitted. Two students who jumped from the building suffered back injuries; their CT scans have been conducted and they are undergoing treatment. Fifteen students were brought dead and will be sent to the mortuary for post-mortem examination. Five bodies have already been sent, while the process of sending the remaining 10 is under way,” Dr. Agrawal said.
Desperate Escape Attempts
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as students struggled to escape the rapidly spreading fire and suffocating smoke. Many jumped from windows and balconies, sustaining serious injuries.
Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed frightened students calling for help while local residents and rescuers attempted to reach those trapped inside the building.
Massive Rescue Operation
Firefighters and emergency personnel rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information about the blaze. Around a dozen fire tenders and a hydraulic platform were deployed to combat the fire and carry out rescue operations.
Rescue teams faced significant challenges due to dense smoke filling the building. To gain access to trapped occupants, firefighters broke through a wall on the first floor and conducted room-to-room searches. Teams also attempted to reach the upper floors from the rear side of the structure.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site along with Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, Director-General of Police Rajeev Krishna, and senior district administration and police officials to oversee the rescue efforts.
“We have been informed that there is no one on the top floor now. Fire brigade personnel have broken a wall on the first floor to enter the building. There is heavy smoke inside. Every room is being searched. Our priority is to bring all the children out safely,” Pathak told reporters at the scene.
Ambulances were stationed outside the building, while medical teams and doctors remained on standby to provide immediate treatment to those rescued.
Cause of Fire Yet to Be Determined
The exact cause of the fire remained unknown till late evening. Uttar Pradesh Police said a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine how the blaze started and whether any violations of fire safety regulations or other lapses contributed to the disaster.
As a precautionary measure, police evacuated nearby buildings and diverted traffic around the area to facilitate rescue and emergency operations. A large contingent of police, fire service personnel, and civil administration officials remained deployed throughout the operation.
Chief Minister Orders Inquiry
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Aligarh at the time of the incident, immediately directed officials to intensify rescue and relief operations and ensure proper medical care for the injured students.
Expressing deep concern over the tragedy, the Chief Minister ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. He also decided to cut short his engagements in Aligarh and return to Lucknow.
Speaking before his departure, Adityanath said he had received information about the fire and the students affected by it. A scheduled review meeting on development projects was postponed, with only a brief review of Public Works Department activities being conducted before he left for the state capital.
Families Await Answers
As rescue teams continued combing through smoke-filled rooms late into the evening, anxious parents and family members gathered outside the building, desperately seeking information about their children.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves across Lucknow and raised serious questions about fire safety standards in educational institutions and commercial buildings. Authorities are expected to examine whether the coaching centre and the building complied with mandatory safety regulations.
The incident is being described as one of the deadliest coaching centre fire tragedies in Lucknow’s recent history, leaving the city mourning the loss of young lives and demanding accountability for the disaster.
