Lucknow: At least 11 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a massive fire broke out at a coaching centre housed in a multi-storey building in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday, triggering panic and a large-scale rescue operation.
The blaze erupted during the afternoon, rapidly engulfing parts of the building and filling it with thick smoke. Several students and staff members were trapped inside as flames spread through the structure. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos, with some occupants attempting to escape through windows and balconies, while others reportedly jumped from upper floors to save themselves.
Firefighters, police teams and disaster response personnel rushed to the spot and launched an intensive rescue operation. Multiple fire tenders and specialised rescue equipment were deployed to control the blaze and search for those trapped inside the building.
Authorities confirmed that at least 11 people were killed in the incident, while several injured victims were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. Officials said rescue teams continued searching the premises amid fears that more people could be trapped.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and senior administrative officials reached the site to supervise relief and rescue efforts. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took cognisance of the tragedy and proceeded to Lucknow after being informed about the incident.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially established. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the blaze started and whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over fire safety measures in educational institutions and commercial buildings, particularly in densely populated urban centres. Rescue and relief operations were continuing at the time of filing this report.
