Lucknow building fire kills at least 15 students; PM Modi announces ex-gratia, UP CM Adityanath arrives at spot
The Prime Minister announced financial assistance, saying an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased person, while those injured would receive Rs 50,000.
As many as 14 people were killed after a major fire broke out at a commercial building in Lucknow on Monday afternoon
A major fire at a commercial building housing a coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday afternoon claimed at least 15 lives, triggering a large-scale rescue and firefighting operation and prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to express condolences
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “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.”
The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance, saying an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased person, while those injured would receive Rs 50,000.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed condolences to the bereaved family. “The news of the deaths of numerous people in the horrific fire accident that occurred in Lucknow is extremely heartbreaking. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” she wrote on X in Hindi.
According to the fire department, information about the blaze was received around 3 pm from a coaching centre located on Usha Mehta Marg under the Aliganj police station area. Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed to the site as authorities launched efforts to contain the flames and rescue those trapped inside.
As thick smoke spread through the structure, several students were seen jumping from the first floor in an attempt to escape. Videos from the scene showed people urging those trapped to leap to safety while firefighters battled the blaze.
A local resident told PTI that the fire could have been caused by a spark. “Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves. However, around 20 to 25 students are still feared to be trapped inside,” the resident said.
Another video from the spot showed dense smoke billowing from the building as firefighting teams continued operations, sparking panic in the surrounding area.
Eyewitness Aman told ANI, “There is a library or a computer course institution here. When we reached here, we saw smoke coming from the building. We saved 5-6 people. After the fire broke out, a man jumped from the building, and he was seriously injured. There are still some people trapped inside…”
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site to oversee rescue and relief efforts. He said, “This is a very sad incident, around a dozen children died, high-level inquiry has been ordered… The government stands with the victim families. This is a very sad incident. Thirteen children have been rescued. There is smoke inside, all the rooms are being checked. Fire department officials, NDRF team are inside.”
“…Rescue operations on. We are with the parents. I can not confirm how many students are inside,” Pathak said. He added, “The fire brigade team has breached the wall with the help of excavators and entered the premises to carry out rescue and firefighting operations.”
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath arrived at the spot where the fire incident took place after cutting short his visit to Aligarh upon receiving information about the tragedy. Addressing a programme in Aligarh, he said, “My heartfelt desire was to stay in Aligarh today, but I have to say with sadness that I have just received information that a tragic fire incident has taken place in Lucknow. Some children have been caught in it and have lost their lives. Therefore, I have to return immediately.”
The chief minister extended condolences to the bereaved families and said he had directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to reach the scene and submit a report.
“I myself am also leaving for there so that we can go into the details of the entire matter, punish those responsible and also express our condolences to the affected families,” Adityanath said.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister was in Firozabad, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than Rs 658 crore. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Rescue and firefighting operations were continuing, and further details were awaited.
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