Lucknow, June 22: At least 13 people were killed after a massive fire broke out in a building housing a coaching centre in the Aliganj area of northwest Lucknow on Monday, officials said. Several others were injured as panic gripped the area and some students attempted to escape by jumping from the building.
According to initial reports, the fire erupted suddenly inside a three-storey commercial building that housed a coaching institute along with a pet shop and other commercial establishments. The blaze spread rapidly, trapping students and staff inside the premises.
Eyewitnesses said thick smoke filled the building within minutes, making evacuation difficult. In desperation, several students reportedly jumped from the first floor to escape the flames, with at least one person sustaining serious injuries.
Fire and emergency services rushed to the spot and carried out intensive rescue operations. The blaze raged for over an hour before being brought under control. After the fire was doused, officials recovered at least 13 bodies from the building, while rescue teams continued searching for any remaining trapped individuals.
A video circulating from the site showed chaotic scenes, including individuals attempting to escape through broken windows and falling while trying to reach safety.
Police and administrative officials, including senior officers, reached the spot to oversee rescue and relief operations. The building has been cordoned off and a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also directed officials to reach out to affected families and ensure proper medical treatment and assistance for the injured.
Further details are awaited as rescue and identification efforts continue.