Lucknow Fire Tragedy: CM Yogi Visits Site, Meets Injured; Death Toll Rises to 18

At least 18 people, most of them students, were killed and nearly a dozen others injured.

After a massive fire broke out at a coaching-cum-gaming centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday. Rescue teams continued operations for several hours as authorities worked to evacuate those trapped inside the three-storey commercial building.

The blaze rapidly spread through the structure, which housed an animation coaching institute, a gaming zone, a pet shop and clinic, a pharmacy, and other establishments. According to officials, the fire blocked the building’s lone exit, trapping many occupants and contributing to the high casualty count.

Several students reportedly suffered injuries after jumping from windows in a desperate attempt to escape the flames and thick smoke.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rushed to Lucknow after cutting short his visit to Aligarh. He inspected the accident site alongside senior officials and later visited the injured undergoing treatment at King George’s Medical University (KGMU).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said the search operation concluded around 6:30 pm and confirmed that no students remained trapped inside the building. He assured that a detailed investigation would determine the cause of the fire and promised strict action against anyone found responsible for negligence.

Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the intensity of the blaze and dense smoke. Rescue personnel reportedly breached a wall of a neighbouring building to gain access and installed exhaust fans to clear smoke from the affected premises. Visuals from the scene showed emergency teams using ladders and protective equipment to reach upper floors.

Eyewitnesses said thick smoke began emerging from the building around noon before the fire spread rapidly. Local residents and first responders managed to rescue several occupants before emergency services took control of the operation.

One eyewitness said they helped save five to six people and recalled seeing a man jump from the building in panic, sustaining serious injuries.

Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident, with investigators expected to examine fire safety compliance, emergency exits and the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest building fires in the city in recent years.