Lucknow(UP), June 22
A routine Monday afternoon turned into a tragedy in Lucknow when a massive fire swept through a three-storey commercial building, killing at least 15 students and leaving families anxiously searching for loved ones.
The blaze broke out at around 3pm in the Aliganj area of north Lucknow, engulfing a building that housed an animation training centre and a pet clinic. Witnesses described scenes of panic as thick smoke filled the structure and people desperately tried to escape.
Some survivors managed to flee, while others reportedly jumped from the building to save themselves. Rescue workers later brought victims out from the smoke-blackened structure, with several bodies carried away in blankets and body bags.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of life and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who visited the site, said many of the victims appeared to be students attending classes at the centre. “The fire broke out suddenly,” he said, adding that several children may have rushed towards the rear of the building in an attempt to escape but were unable to survive.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and returned to Lucknow after receiving information about the fire tragedy.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, deploying 14 fire engines and specialised rescue equipment, including a hydraulic platform vehicle. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil defence units joined the operation.
In dramatic rescue efforts, emergency workers accessed the building through an adjoining structure, breaking openings in the walls to reach those trapped inside while flames continued to spread.
Outside, distraught parents and relatives gathered behind police barricades, waiting for news. Many pleaded with authorities for information as rescue operations continued.
Local residents said smoke could be seen rising from the building from a distance. Some students were rescued in the early stages of the emergency, but fears quickly grew that many others remained trapped inside.
The tragedy also affected animals housed in the pet clinic. Witnesses reported seeing the bodies of several animals being removed from the building during the operation.
Senior state officials, including police and home department authorities arrived to oversee the rescue effort. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short an official visit and returned to Lucknow after being informed of the incident.
Authorities have not yet confirmed what caused the fire. An investigation is expected once rescue and recovery operations are completed.
For residents of Aliganj, a bustling neighbourhood known for its coaching centres, cafés and markets, the disaster has left a community in mourning and raised urgent questions about safety measures in crowded commercial buildings.
