LUCKNOW: The screams of trapped youngsters, desperate jumps from a smoke-filled building and frantic rescue attempts marked a devastating Monday afternoon in Lucknow’s Aliganj, where a massive fire ripped through a three-floor commercial building housing an animation coaching centre and left at least 15 people, mostly students, dead.The blaze turned the busy Usha Mehta Marg building into a death trap as flames and thick smoke spread rapidly through the premises. Several people, mostly young students, were trapped inside.The building, located in the premium residential neighbourhood of Aliganj, also housed a pet clinic. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as people ran for safety and families gathered outside, pleading with authorities to let them enter the building in search of their loved ones. Fire brigade teams, police personnel and district administration officials rushed to the spot and launched a massive rescue operation. Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed to bring the blaze under control. News agency PTI witnessed rescue teams bringing out several people from the burning building during the operation. Some victims were taken out in body bags, while others were evacuated on stretchers and wrapped in blankets as emergency teams continued their efforts.Rescue teams later accessed the affected building from the terrace of an adjoining structure after drilling two large openings to reach people trapped inside while the fire was still raging. Officials said 15 deaths have been declared so far by the chief medical superintendent (CMS), Trauma Centre and Dr Premraj Singh, while four others were injured.Firefighters continued cooling and search operations to check whether anyone else remained trapped.The tragedy triggered an emotional response from officials. Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak broke down while visiting the site and taking stock of the situation. 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 rescue and relief efforts.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will 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 directed officials to ensure immediate relief and submit a report into the incident.
How the Aliganj fire tragedy unfolded
- The fire broke out around 3pm inside the commercial complex on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj, which houses an animation centre, coaching-related activities and a pet clinic.
- The flames spread rapidly, trapping several people inside the three-floor building.
- Eyewitnesses said some people jumped from the first floor in an attempt to escape the fire and heavy smoke.
- Rescue teams used ladders and entered through an adjoining building after creating an access point from the upper side.
- At least 14 fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were pressed into service to control the blaze.
- Animal rights activist Kiran Shukla expressed concern that animals inside the pet clinic may have been trapped. PTI witnessed at least three animal bodies being brought out of the building around 4. 40pm.
- The incident comes weeks after a major fire at a south Delhi restaurant that killed more than 20 people, raising fresh questions over fire safety compliance in commercial establishments.
