Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire Claims 14 Lives; CM Yogi Rushes Back from Aligarh

Lucknow: At least 14 people lost their lives after a massive fire engulfed a three-storey coaching centre building in the Purania area of Aliganj, Lucknow, on Monday. The victims are believed to be between 20 and 24 years old.

The tragedy prompted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to cut short his visit to Aligarh and return to Lucknow to monitor the situation. He expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who died.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak described the incident as deeply distressing and assured that all necessary arrangements had been made for the treatment of the injured. In a post on X, he said specialist doctors and six ambulances had been deployed at the site, adding that he was personally heading to oversee the rescue and relief efforts. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

The fire reportedly broke out inside the coaching centre operating in the building and quickly spread through the structure, filling it with dense smoke. Panic-stricken students and staff scrambled to escape as flames blocked the exits.

In a desperate attempt to save themselves, several people jumped from the upper floors and rooftop, suffering serious injuries. Eyewitnesses said smoke was first seen rising from the building in the afternoon before the blaze rapidly intensified.

Multiple teams from the fire department, police and district administration rushed to the spot. Senior officials, including the District Magistrate and Police Commissioner, supervised the rescue operation.

Rescue teams continued searching for people feared trapped inside. Firefighters, with help from local residents, evacuated survivors through the rooftop of a neighbouring building while also breaking through walls to gain access to those trapped.

Several injured persons have been shifted to hospitals for treatment, officials said. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Expressing his sorrow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the loss of lives in the fire was "extremely tragic and heart-rending." He prayed for peace for the departed souls and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

With inputs from IANS 

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