14 Killed After Massive Fire Breaks Out at Lucknow Coaching Centre, Several Students Jumped From Building to Escape Flames

Lucknow: At least 14 people were killed and four others injured after a massive fire ripped through an animation coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation as bodies were pulled out from the smoke-filled building and injured students were rushed to hospitals.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who reached the site, confirmed that he saw 14 bodies with his own eyes and said the injured students, most of whom were around 16 to 17 years old, had been shifted to the KGMC Trauma Centre for treatment.

"A total of thirteen children have just been brought out. They have all been sent to the hospital. It is a major incident," Pathak said.

He also confirmed that the search operation has been completed and no children are trapped, further ensuring that strict action will be taken against those found guilty. 

‘Authorities have completed the search operation at the site and confirmed that no children remain trapped. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible with no leniency. The government has reiterated its full support to the affected families and said all necessary assistance will be provided,’ he added. 

Earlier, according to Pathak, a few students had reportedly locked themselves inside washroom while trying to escape.

The blaze engulfed portions of the multi-storey building, which housed a library, a computer training institute, an animation centre and a pet shop. Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the premises as firefighters rushed to the spot.

According to eyewitnesses, several students were rescued by local residents before emergency teams arrived, and amid the chaos, some students jumped from the first floor in an attempt to escape the flames and smoke, with one person sustaining serious injuries.

"When we reached the spot, we saw thick smoke coming out of the building. We managed to save five to six people. One person jumped from the building in panic and was seriously injured. Some people were still trapped inside," local resident Aman told ANI.

Describing the challenging rescue operation, Deputy CM Pathak said thick smoke caused by wooden furniture inside the building had severely hampered visibility. Fire brigade personnel and NDRF teams were on-site, conducting a room-by-room search.

"Every room is being inspected. Fire brigade personnel are inside. NDRF teams are on-site," Pathak said.

A fire department official earlier said initial reports suggested that around 10-12 people could be trapped inside. Rescue personnel later broke through walls and created alternative access routes to reach different sections of the building.

Deputy CM Reviews Rescue Efforts

Following the incident, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak immediately reached the site along with senior officials to monitor the ongoing operation.

Pathak assured that the administration's top priority was the safe evacuation of students and ensuring immediate medical assistance for those injured.

"Our priority is to ensure the safe rescue of all the children. Ambulances are on-site, doctors have been called and arrangements have been made to provide immediate medical assistance," he said.

‘Guilty will be Punished’: CM Yogi Orders Swift Action

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed senior officials to reach the site immediately.

"I have just received information regarding an incident in Lucknow. Some children have been caught in a fire incident there, resulting in their tragic deaths," the chief minister said while addressing an event in Aligarh.

Expressing condolences to the affected families, Yogi said he was cutting short his programme and returning to Lucknow to personally monitor the situation.

The chief minister directed the director general of police and the additional chief secretary (Home) to visit the site and submit a detailed report.

"We will get to the bottom of the incident and ensure the guilty are punished," he said.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, instructions were issued to accelerate rescue and relief operations, maintain vigilance and ensure proper medical treatment for all injured persons.

The administration continues to monitor the situation as firefighters work to completely douse the blaze and determine the cause of the fire.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. 

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