A devastating fire tore through a coaching institute in the Aliganj area of Lucknow on Monday afternoon, leaving 14 people dead and several others injured. The tragic incident occurred around 3 PM in the bustling Purnia locality, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering widespread chaos as students desperately scrambled to escape the rapidly spreading flames.
The fire quickly engulfed large sections of the building, trapping dozens inside and forcing a critical situation. In harrowing scenes witnessed by local residents, several students resorted to jumping from the upper floors of the structure to save their lives. Onlookers reported that seven to eight students leaped from the building within minutes of the outbreak, while an estimated 20 to 25 individuals remained trapped inside as the fire intensified. Videos from the scene showed anxious crowds gathering outside the complex as emergency services rushed to respond.
The local fire department dispatched eight fire tenders to the site immediately after the alarm was raised. Firefighters launched an intensive operation to contain the blaze and rescue those stranded inside. Due to the heavy smoke and intense heat blocking primary entry points, emergency teams had to adopt alternative tactics. Personnel broke through the wall of an adjoining building to create a passage for stretchers and rescue equipment. By the time the fire was brought under partial control, emergency responders had successfully rescued at least 12 people and a pet cat from the building.
Top officials rushed to the spot to supervise the operations as the scale of the tragedy became clear. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site to review the rescue and relief measures alongside district and fire department officials. While a local resident suggested that a spark may have triggered the blaze, authorities have stated that the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Search operations continued late into the evening to ensure no one else remained trapped in the debris.
The tragedy drew responses from top leadership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives. Chief Minister Adityanath termed the incident extremely tragic and heart-rending, offering his condolences to the grieving families and ordering immediate assistance for the injured.
The Prime Minister's Office announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the victims. The next of kin of each deceased individual will receive an ex-gratia amount of ₹2 lakh, while ₹50,000 will be provided to support those who sustained injuries in the incident. Local administration continues to monitor the medical treatment of the injured as the investigation into the safety lapses begins.
