Lucknow coaching centre fire kills at least 14, as rescue teams search for trapped people

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the fire tragedy in Lucknow's Aliganj area that claimed 15 lives and said he was immediately leaving for the city to assess the situation on the ground.The fire broke out in a building housing a library and a computer training institute in the Aliganj area of Lucknow. The incident claimed the lives of 15 people and left several others injured.Expressing grief over the tragedy, Singh said he had spoken to officials and was travelling to Lucknow."I have just received information about an unfortunate fire incident in Lucknow that has resulted in a heavy loss of life, a truly distressing tragedy. My heartfelt condolences go out to all the bereaved families during this difficult time, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Singh said."I have spoken with some administrative officials, and I am immediately departing for Lucknow to take stock of the situation," he added.In a separate post on X, the Defence Minister said, "The incident of a fire breaking out in a coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area is heart-wrenching. My condolences are with all those families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Along with that, I pray for the swift recovery of all the injured."लखनऊ के अलीगंज इलाके में एक कोचिंग सेंटर में आग लगने से हुआ हादसा मन को व्यथित करने वाला है। इस कठिन घड़ी में मेरी संवेदनाएँ सभी शोकाकुल परिवारों के साथ हैं। इसके साथ ही मैं सभी घायलों के जल्द से जल्द स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूं। प्रशासन राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों में तत्परता से… pic.twitter.com/mDUKImqZf1— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 22, 2026Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and returned to Lucknow after receiving information about the incident.Addressing a gathering in Aligarh, the Chief Minister said, "I have just received information regarding an incident in Lucknow. Some children have been caught in a fire incident there, resulting in their tragic deaths. While the administration is engaged in relief operations, this tragic event requires me to return to Lucknow immediately."Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, he added, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their young ones."The Chief Minister said he had directed senior officials to visit the site and submit a report."I have directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) of Uttar Pradesh to visit the site personally and submit a report on the matter. We will get to the bottom of the incident, ensure the guilty are punished," he asserted, adding that he would undertake a separate visit to Aligarh at a later date.#WATCH | Lucknow coaching institute fire incident | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath visits King George's Medical University (KGMU) and meets the injured of the fire incident. 15 people lost their lives in the fire incident. pic.twitter.com/U0jszJbul6— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2026After returning to Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath visited King George's Medical University (KGMU) and met the family members of those affected by the fire incident.Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire Kills 14 Students, Injures Dozens; CM Yogi Adityanath Cuts Short Visit To Rush BackAn eyewitness, Aman, said thick smoke engulfed the building after the fire broke out, creating panic among those inside."There is a library or a computer course institution here. When we reached the spot, we saw thick smoke billowing from the building. We managed to save 5-6 people. After the fire broke out, a man jumped from the building in panic and was seriously injured. There are still some people trapped inside," he told ANI.Authorities have launched relief operations, while an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.Further details are awaited.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Lucknow: At least 14 people, most of them students, were killed after a massive fire broke out in a commercial building housing a coaching and animation training centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday afternoon. Several others were injured while trying to escape the flames and thick smoke that engulfed the building.Time and LocationThe fire broke out around 2.15 pm in the two-storey structure located in a busy commercial area of northwest Lucknow. The building housed a pet shop and clinic in the basement, ground and lower floors, while the upper floor accommodated a library and coaching facility known as Learning Space, along with Head Hopper Studio, an animation and gaming asset production company.Shocking news from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.At least 14 people have been killed in a massive fire at a coaching centre and a Pet Shop in Lucknow's Aliganj area. Death toll could rise further. Many people have been injured after they jumped to save their lives. pic.twitter.com/fhFnwHjLhJ— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 22, 2026Rescue teams continued operations for hours after the blaze was brought under control. Officials said at least 10 people were rescued from the building and shifted to the Trauma Centre for treatment. Several of the injured suffered burns and smoke inhalation.Deputy CM's Emotional StatementDeputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who remained at the site to monitor rescue efforts, became emotional while speaking to reporters. Expressing grief over the tragedy, he said he had personally seen 14 bodies recovered from the building."I have seen 14 bodies with my own eyes," Pathak said, while conveying his condolences to the families of the victims.Firefighters faced difficulties entering the smoke-filled structure and eventually broke through the rear wall of the building to reach those trapped inside. Exhaust fans were deployed to clear dense smoke as teams searched every room and washroom for survivors.Panic and Desperate EscapesAccording to students and employees, several people became trapped when smoke rapidly filled the stairways and corridors. Some students reportedly locked themselves inside washrooms in an attempt to escape the smoke. Others jumped from windows and ledges to save themselves.Videos circulating on social media showed desperate escape attempts. In one clip, a man is seen climbing out of a shattered window before losing his grip and falling onto a fence and then the ground. Bystanders rushed to his aid and carried him to safety. He sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.Witness Accounts of Short CircuitWitnesses said the building also contained shops a pet care shop. A worker at the pet shop claimed the fire may have started after a short circuit in an electric pole outside the building, following which flames spread upward and thick smoke filled the premises."I was on the middle floor. We managed to rescue some pets, but several animals remained trapped inside. Some people could not get out," the worker said.Mohammad Asin, an employee at the animation centre, said workers were having lunch when someone alerted them about the fire."We initially thought it was a minor incident. By the time we tried to leave, smoke had filled the rooms and passageways. The fire appeared to have started in the pet shop warehouse below. I managed to come down by holding onto wires from the upper floor," he said.Another survivor said he had stepped out carrying his bag and returned briefly to switch off his computer, only to find the building engulfed in smoke."I was on the second floor. Visibility was almost zero. I somehow found my way out, but many people were still inside," he said.Families Frantically SearchFamily members gathered outside the building searching for loved ones. Shakeel, a resident of Jankipuram, said his brother Faizan called him from inside the building."He told me he was calling from a washroom because there was a fire and he was trapped," he said.Prabhjot Singh, who rushed to the spot from Alambagh after receiving a distress call from his son, said he was still searching for him."My son works here as an animation artist. He called me around 2.15 pm and said, 'Papa, please save me, there is a fire here.' I reached immediately, but I have not found him yet," he said.Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Announces 20% Reservation For Ex-Agniveers In State Class-3 Government PostsPolice, fire brigade and disaster response teams remained at the site through the evening to complete rescue and recovery operations.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the tragedy while addressing a public meeting in Aligarh. Cutting short his scheduled stay there, the chief minister announced that he was returning to Lucknow immediately after receiving news of the incident."I wanted to stay in Aligarh, but after receiving information about this tragic incident, I am leaving for Lucknow at once," Adityanath said.Authorities have not yet officially announced the cause of the fire. An investigation has been launched into the incident. Rescue personnel continued to search the premises amid fears that more people could have been trapped inside when the blaze erupted.

Lucknow: As firefighters and rescue squads were working to douse a fatal fire that killed at least 15 people in Aliganj, Lucknow, on Monday afternoon, there emerged an interesting story of how some cats were rescued from the inferno by some brave souls.#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh | Cats rescued from the pet shop and clinic located in the same building where a fire broke out in Lucknow's Aliganj. pic.twitter.com/iOgEYOnNEX— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2026The felines managed to rescued from a pet shop and veterinary clinic that was situated in a three-storey building in which the disastrous fire had erupted. While firefighters were making efforts to search for the missing people in the burning building, they also paid attention to rescue the caged felines. Images from the site showed terrified cats being rescued from the burning building.Rescue teams save animals amid chaosThe outbreak of the fire led to panic in the crowded area of Aliganj as dark smoke was coming out of the burning building and spreading fast.As firefighters focused on saving people who were trapped in the building, the rescue teams on the ground also shifted focus towards the animals kept in the pet store and vet clinic.Videos of the site revealed that the rescue team members came out of the building holding cats in their hands, protecting them from smoke and taking them out of the danger area.Witnesses said the animals appeared frightened but were safely removed before the fire could spread further into the section where they were kept.VIDEO | Lucknow Fire Tragedy: Authorities have cordoned off the affected area and deployed police personnel at the incident site as investigations are underway.Fifteen students were "brought dead" at a hospital in Lucknow and seven injured were undergoing treatment after a… pic.twitter.com/NAH1qDHSad— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2026Massive fire claims 15 livesIt was officially stated that more than 15 people died that includes children aged between 15-18 years due to the fire outbreak in the commercial building. A number of others got injured and had to be taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.There were eyewitness accounts of chaos as some of the people tried to get away from there by jumping from upstairs.Large-scale emergency responseThe incident prompted a massive response from the fire department, police and district administration. Several fire tenders had been sent to the scene as the emergency services tried to put out raging fires and heavy smoke.The search team kept on searching the site even after bringing the fire under control, in fear that there could be other victims trapped inside. It is not yet known what triggered the fire. The investigation will take place when it is confirmed that the site is safe for investigations.लखनऊ में अग्नि दुर्घटना में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदय विदारक है।मेरी संवेदनाएं शोकाकुल परिजनों के साथ हैं।प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति तथा घायलों को शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान करें। pic.twitter.com/GR7TUpy82E— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) June 22, 2026Uttar Pradesh CM returns to LucknowAfter the incident, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, had to leave Aligarh and return to Lucknow. The Chief Minister condemned the incident and ordered all possible help to be extended to the victims' families.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. The Prime Minister announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person and ₹50,000 for those injured in the fire.

Lucknow: 14 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a devastating fire broke out at a coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, around 3 PM. Rescue teams continued search operations late into the day amid fears that more people could still be trapped inside the building.The fire erupted at a coaching institute operating in the Purnia area of Aliganj, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and forcing students to scramble for safety. In dramatic scenes witnessed by locals, several students jumped from the building to escape the rapidly spreading flames.Students leap from building as fire spreadsAccording to police sources, a number of students were forced to jump from the structure after smoke engulfed large sections of the building. A local resident who witnessed the incident said chaos broke out within minutes of the fire starting."Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves. However, around 20 to 25 students are still feared trapped inside," the resident told PTI.Videos from the area showed anxious crowds gathering outside the building as emergency teams rushed to the scene.Eight Fire Tenders DeployedSoon after the incident was reported, eight fire tenders were dispatched to the coaching centre. Firefighters launched an intensive operation to contain the blaze and evacuate those trapped inside.Officials said that at least 12 people had been rescued from the building by the time the fire was brought under partial control. Rescue personnel also managed to save a cat during the operation.The intensity of the flames and heavy smoke made access difficult, forcing firefighters to adopt alternative methods to reach parts of the building.Search teams break through wallAs rescue efforts continued, teams carried stretchers into the premises through an adjoining structure. To improve access, emergency personnel created an opening in one of the walls, allowing rescuers to move stretchers and equipment into the affected areas.Even after the main blaze was brought under control, search operations continued amid concerns that four to five people could still be trapped inside.In one of the most heartbreaking moments of the operation, two individuals were brought out of the building on stretchers with their bodies completely covered with cloth, indicating the severity of the tragedy.Cause of Fire Yet to Be ConfirmedWhile the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, a local resident suggested that a spark may have triggered the blaze. Authorities, however, have not officially confirmed the reason behind the incident.Fire department officials are expected to conduct a detailed examination of the site once rescue and cooling operations are completed.Senior Officials Reach SpotSeveral senior officials rushed to the scene as the scale of the disaster became clear. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site and reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts alongside district and fire department officials.Police and administrative authorities remained stationed at the location throughout the operation, coordinating rescue and medical assistance for those affected.CM Yogi Adityanath Expresses GriefUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the incident.In a statement, the Chief Minister directed officials to remain in contact with the affected families and ensure that all possible assistance is provided. He also instructed authorities to make proper arrangements for the treatment of those injured in the fire.

Lucknow: At least 12 students have been confirmed dead in the devastating fire that broke out at a coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said to PTI. Rescue teams continued search operations late into the day amid fears that more people could still be trapped inside the building.#WATCH | Lucknow coaching institute fire incident | Bodies being taken from the coaching centre where a fire broke out in Lucknow's Aliganj. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and other officials are present at the fire accident site. pic.twitter.com/TFhd7owkoy— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2026Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: On the coaching centre fire incident, All injured persons and the deceased are being brought to the trauma centre of KGMU. pic.twitter.com/6mnErcP7X5— IANS (@ians_india) June 22, 2026The fire erupted at a coaching institute operating in the Purnia area of Aliganj, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and forcing students to scramble for safety. In dramatic scenes witnessed by locals, several students jumped from the building to escape the rapidly spreading flames.#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak oversees the search and rescue operation at Lucknow coaching institute fire accident site pic.twitter.com/HMzxi6wXSN— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2026Students leap from building as fire spreadsAccording to police sources, a number of students were forced to jump from the structure after smoke engulfed large sections of the building. A local resident who witnessed the incident said chaos broke out within minutes of the fire starting.VIDEO | Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire: NDRF, SDRF, Civil Defence teams conduct rescue operations.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/zShcGvMoTH— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2026"Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves. However, around 20 to 25 students are still feared trapped inside," the resident told PTI.Videos from the area showed anxious crowds gathering outside the building as emergency teams rushed to the scene.VIDEO | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: 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/VEnkYe937L— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2026Eight Fire Tenders DeployedSoon after the incident was reported, eight fire tenders were dispatched to the coaching centre. Firefighters launched an intensive operation to contain the blaze and evacuate those trapped inside.Officials said that at least 12 people had been rescued from the building by the time the fire was brought under partial control. Rescue personnel also managed to save a cat during the operation.The intensity of the flames and heavy smoke made access difficult, forcing firefighters to adopt alternative methods to reach parts of the building.Search teams break through the wallAs rescue operations is underway, stretcher bearers entered the property through the adjoining building. The emergency team managed to create a hole in one of the walls in order to get the stretchers and other necessary equipment in the property, as per IANS reports.Even though the fire situation was brought under control, the search operation was continuing due to the fact that there might be four to five people stuck in the burning building.While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, a local resident suggested that a spark may have triggered the blaze. Authorities, however, have not officially confirmed the reason behind the incident.Senior officials reach the spotSeveral senior officials rushed to the scene as the scale of the disaster became clear. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site and reviewed the ongoing rescue efforts alongside district and fire department officials.After learning about the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended their condolences to the bereaved families.लखनऊ में अग्नि दुर्घटना में हुई जनहानि अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदय विदारक है।मेरी संवेदनाएं शोकाकुल परिजनों के साथ हैं।प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्माओं को शांति तथा घायलों को शीघ्र स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान करें। pic.twitter.com/GR7TUpy82E— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) June 22, 2026In a message posted on social media, Yogi Adityanath described the incident as "extremely tragic and heart-rending." He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace for the departed souls and a speedy recovery for those injured in the fire.Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from…— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 22, 2026Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed anguish over the loss of lives in the Lucknow fire accident. In a statement shared by the Prime Minister's Office, he conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a quick recovery to the injured.The Prime Minister noted that rescue operations were underway and that authorities were providing all possible assistance to those affected by the incident.The PMO also announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). An ex-gratia amount of ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each person who died in the fire, while ₹50,000 will be given to those injured.The announcements came as rescue teams continued search operations at the coaching centre amid concerns that more people could still be trapped inside the building.