22 June,2026 06:19 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondent
Firefighters rescue trapped students after deadly coaching centre fire. Pic/PTI
Massive fire broke out at a building housing a coaching centre in the Aliganj area of Lucknow on Monday. At least 12 people lost their lives, triggering panic among students and a massive rescue operation by emergency services, as per PTI.
Several students were trapped inside the building as thick smoke spread through the premises. Firefighters and police personnel rushed to the spot and launched an intensive rescue effort to bring those trapped to safety. Rescue teams worked for hours to search every room and evacuate those trapped, reported ANI.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered swift action asking senior officials to rush to the spot.
Officials said the affected building housed several establishments, including a coaching centre, an animation training institute and a pet shop. The fire reportedly started in a building that also contained a library and a computer training institute, though the exact cause of the blaze has not yet been confirmed, as per agencies.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the rescue operation was nearing completion and that officials were focused on ensuring the safety of everyone inside the building, reported the news agency.
"Our priority is to ensure the safe rescue of all the children. Most of them have already been evacuated," Pathak told ANI reporters.
He said firefighters adopted special measures to enter the smoke-filled structure, including breaking through a wall of a neighbouring building to gain access. According to officials, exhaust fans were installed to clear the dense smoke while rescue teams carried out a room-by-room search.
"Every single room has been searched, and the washrooms have been checked," Pathak said.
According to officials, eight fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze. To reach those trapped inside, firefighters broke through a wall of the building and managed to evacuate around two dozen students, reported agencies.
As rescue operations continued, dramatic scenes unfolded outside the building, with some students reportedly jumping from higher floors in a desperate attempt to escape the smoke and flames.
The injured were immediately rushed to the Trauma Centre of King George's Medical University (KGMU) for treatment, as per the news agency. "Some children jumped out; they sustained injuries and have been sent to the hospital," Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said.
During the rescue operation, authorities received information that a few students may have locked themselves inside a washroom while trying to escape the fire, reported ANI.
Pathak said firefighters reached the upper floors and conducted a thorough search. "According to their peers, 3-4 children had locked themselves inside a washroom," he said, adding that complete details would be shared once the operation concluded, as per the news agency.
As rescue operations continued late into the day, officials worked to determine the full extent of the tragedy and account for everyone who was inside the building when the fire broke out.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident.
The Chief Minister directed senior officials to immediately contact the affected families and ensure all necessary assistance is provided. He also instructed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to those injured in the fire.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and conveyed his condolences to the affected families.
He announced financial assistance from the PMNRF. The next of kin of each deceased person will receive Rs 2 lakh, while those injured in the incident will be given Rs 50,000.
(With ANI and IANS Inputs)
