At least 14 people lost their lives after a massive fire broke out at a commercial building housing a coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, triggering a large-scale rescue operation and scenes of panic as students scrambled to escape the flames.
Shocking news from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 22, 2026
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
According to fire department officials, the blaze was reported around 3 pm from a coaching institute located on Usha Mehta Marg under the Aliganj police station limits. Responding swiftly, authorities deployed 14 fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, to contain the fire and rescue those trapped inside the building.
As thick smoke engulfed the structure, several students were forced to take desperate measures to save themselves. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media showed students jumping from the first floor while locals gathered below, urging them to leap to safety. Witnesses claimed that seven to eight students managed to escape by jumping from the building, while concerns remained that others could still be trapped inside during the initial stages of the operation.
A resident told PTI that the fire may have started due to a spark and alleged that around 20 to 25 students were feared trapped when the blaze intensified. Another eyewitness, identified as Aman, said residents rushed to help before emergency teams arrived. He claimed that five to six people were rescued, while one individual who jumped from the building sustained serious injuries.
Visuals from the scene showed dense black smoke billowing from the building as firefighters battled the flames for hours. The incident sparked panic across the locality, with rescue teams working relentlessly to search for survivors and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the site to review the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Speaking to the media, Pathak said the administration was focused on ensuring the safety of those trapped and supporting affected families. He refrained from confirming the number of students present inside the institute when the fire broke out.
Pathak said rescue personnel had breached parts of the building using excavators to gain access and expedite rescue operations. Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control after sustained efforts, though searches continued to ensure no one remained trapped inside.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while rescue and assessment operations continued late into the evening. Further details are awaited.
