A devastating fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Thursday claimed the lives of seven students. The blaze, which broke out in the basement of the building, also left several others injured. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
Fire Breaks Out in Basement
The fire started in the basement of the coaching centre around 5 pm, reportedly due to an electrical short circuit. Thick smoke engulfed the building, trapping students inside. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Over 20 students were rescued, but seven were found dead.
"We received a call about the fire at 5:15 pm. Firefighters reached within minutes and extinguished the blaze by 6:30 pm. The rescue operation continued for hours," said a fire department official.
CM Announces Compensation and Probe
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the incident and directed officials to provide all possible assistance. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
"The loss of innocent lives is extremely painful. The administration is providing all necessary help. Strict action will be taken against those responsible," CM Adityanath said in a statement.
Rescue Operation and Hospitalisation
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), conducted search operations to ensure no one was trapped. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, where their condition is reported to be stable. The district administration has declared a holiday for all coaching centres in the area as a precautionary measure.
"We are verifying the identities of the victims. The post-mortem is being conducted, and the bodies will be handed over to the families after formalities," said a senior police officer.
Political Reactions
Opposition leaders criticised the government over the incident, demanding accountability. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, "The coaching centre fire in Lucknow is tragic. The government must ensure strict safety norms in all such centres. My condolences to the families." Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also expressed grief and urged the state government to provide immediate relief.
Safety Concerns Raised
The incident has raised serious questions about fire safety in coaching centres, which often operate in cramped basements with inadequate exits. Locals alleged that the building lacked proper fire safety measures. "There was no emergency exit, and the basement had only one narrow staircase. Many students could have died if the rescue was delayed," said a nearby shopkeeper.
Authorities have sealed the coaching centre and ordered an audit of all similar establishments in the city. The probe will examine if the centre had obtained necessary fire safety clearances.
