massive-fire-at-lucknow-coaching-centre-casualties-feared

At least 15 people were killed after a massive fire broke out at a three-storey commercial complex in the busy Aliganj area of Lucknow on Monday. 

 

 

Terrifying video footage captured a youth jumping from the first floor of the building as towering flames rapidly consumed the entire structure.

 

VIDEO | Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire: Animals rescued from pet shop affected from blaze in commercial building as firefighting operation continues.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/d79J8K8Cay

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2026

Officials said the fire department received information about the blaze at around 3 pm from the building located at Usha Mehta Marg under Aliganj police station limits. Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed to control the flames.

 

"The fire broke out suddenly. It was an animation centre. While there is no immediate clarity about the sequence of events, it seems that the children ran towards the back side when the fire broke out… but they couldn’t survive. While there is no clarity about the exact figure, but I saw 11-12 bodies from my own eyes," Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who was at the site, told reporters.

 

Witnesses said 11 people, who were caught in the blaze, were taken out of the building during the rescue operation. Some were carried in body bags while others were wrapped in blankets.

 

They were brought out from the terrace of an adjoining building, where rescue teams had drilled two large openings into the affected building to gain access while the fire was still raging.

 

Senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna and Lucknow Police Commissioner Amrendra Sengar, reached the spot to monitor the rescue operation.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.

 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and returned to Lucknow after receiving information about the fire tragedy. He further promised an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased. 

Expressing condolences, Defence Minister Singh in a post on X in Hindi said, "The incident involving a fire at a coaching centre in the Aliganj area of Lucknow is deeply distressing. My condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. I also wish for the speedy recovery of all those injured." At an event in Aligarh, Adityanath while concluding his speech, said, "It was my heartfelt wish to stay in Aligarh, but I feel sad to say that I have just learnt of an accident in Lucknow -- a fire has broke out in which some children were caught, resulting in their tragic deaths. The administration is engaged in relief work." "I have to return to Lucknow immediately. I express my condolences to the families, who have lost its young members. I have directed the UP DGP and ACS (Home) to visit the site and submit a report on this matter," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, said the loss of life in the unfortunate fire incident in Aliganj, Lucknow, is "deeply heart-wrenching".

"My deepest condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to the Almighty to grant the departed souls a place at his holy feet, give the grieving families the strength to bear this sorrow, and grant a speedy recovery to the injured. Om Shanti!" Maurya said in a post on X.

 

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who reached the spot, said that the incident is big, and a high-level probe has been ordered.

 

"I have myself seen 14 bodies being taken out," said an emotional Pathak. "It is indeed a very sad incident." Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed grief and deep condolences over the deaths of students in the blaze at an animation centre in Aliganj.

 

"Akhilesh Yadav wished for the speedy recovery of the injured students. He urged that the best possible medical facilities be provided to them," the party said in a statement.

 

BSP chief Mayawati, in a post on X, said that the incident is "deeply tragic".

 

"Such fatal incidents are heart-wrenching and shatter the hopes of so many families. There is a need for everyone to work together effectively to prevent such tragic events. Mere blame games will not suffice," she said.

 

The building is located in the premium residential Aliganj neighbourhood dotted by commercial spaces including coaching centres, cafes, and walking distance to the Purania market.

 

At least three bodies of animals from the pet clinic housed in the building were taken out, wrapped in a blanket, locals said.

 

A police official said the local police reached the spot immediately after receiving information and teams from nearby fire stations were rushed with water tenders and firefighting equipment. Later, NDRF, SDRF, and civil defence teams also joined the rescue operation.

 

Visuals from the scene showed firefighting teams wearing safety gear climbing the building using ladders from outside. Another team was seen attempting to enter from the adjoining building of similar height by creating an access point from the upper side, while other teams continued efforts to douse the flames.

 

A local said: "When I arrived at the spot, I saw smoke billowing from the building. Some students had already been rescued, and 4 to 5 students managed to come out of the building. However, some are still believed to be trapped inside, though the exact number has not been confirmed. Our only hope is that everyone comes out safely. The firefighters took some time to reach the spot." 

 

Another local said, "The fire may have been triggered by a spark. Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves."