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

Lucknow: At least 14 people are dead 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 building and injured students were rushed to hospitals.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said 13 children had been rescued and shifted to hospitals, while multiple bodies had been recovered from the smoke-filled building.

"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.

The blaze engulfed portions of the multi-storey building, which had 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.

Describing the challenging rescue operation, he said thick smoke caused by wooden furniture inside the building had severely hampered visibility.

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

In a shocking statement, Pathak added, "I saw 14 bodies with my own eyes."

He said the injured students, most of whom were around 16 to 17 years old, had been shifted to the KGMC Trauma Centre for treatment.

Students Jumped from the Building 

According to eyewitnesses, several students were rescued by local residents before emergency teams arrived. Amid the chaos, some students jumped from the first floor in an attempt to escape the flames and smoke due to which one person sustained 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.

Rescue Teams Battle Smoke-Filled Building

Earlier, firefighters launched an extensive search-and-rescue operation amid poor visibility caused by dense smoke.

A fire department official said initial reports suggested that around 10 to 12 people could be trapped inside the building.

"It is being said that 10-12 people are trapped inside. We have not been able to enter the building as the fire is massive," the official said.

Rescue personnel later broke through walls and created alternative access routes to reach different sections of the building and search for those feared trapped.

Deputy CM Reviews Rescue Efforts

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

Pathak said 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.

He added that heavy smoke had complicated rescue efforts, forcing firefighters to install additional exhaust fans and conduct a room-by-room search of the building.

According to Pathak, rescue teams searched every room, including washrooms, after reports emerged that a few students may have locked themselves inside while trying to escape.

"Every room has been searched and the washrooms have been checked. Fire brigade personnel gained entry by breaking through a wall of an adjacent building. Due to heavy smoke, exhaust fans have been installed and a room-by-room search operation is underway," he said.

He also confirmed that several students who jumped from the building sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

‘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. 

(With ANI Inputs)

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