Lucknow Fire: 18 Dead in Aliganj Coaching Centre Fire; PM Modi, CM Yogi Announce Compensation

Lucknow: The death toll in the Lucknow coaching centre has risen to 18. A massive fire tore through a three-storey commercial complex in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday afternoon. The building housed a coaching centre and a gaming zone. Most of the deceased were reported to be young students aged between 20 and 24.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have expressed condolences over the tragedy and announced financial aid for the victims and their families.

The Incident: Panic and Desperate Escape Bids

The blaze erupted during peak afternoon hours inside a coaching centre operating within the building in Aliganj’s Purania area. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the entire structure and filling it with thick, suffocating smoke.

With main exit routes blocked by flames, panic-stricken students rushed toward the windows and the rooftop.

• Eyewitness Accounts: Onlookers described a horrifying scene where thick smoke billowed from the building as trapped youths cried out for help.
• Desperate Measures: In a bid to escape the raging fire, several individuals jumped from the upper floors and the terrace, sustaining severe injuries.

Rescue Operations and Emergency Response

Upon receiving the alarm, multiple teams from the fire brigade, local police, and the district administration rushed to the spot. Senior officials, including the District Magistrate and Police Commissioner, personally supervised the rescue operations.

Key Rescue Action: To rescue those trapped inside, emergency teams successfully drilled a hole through the building’s concrete wall, creating an alternative escape route.

An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the devastating fire.

CM Yogi Adityanath Cuts Short Visit to Meet Victims

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Aligarh at the time of the incident, cut short his schedule to rush back to Lucknow. He visited the hospital to meet with the injured and ensure they were receiving top-tier medical care.

Expressing his grief on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister wrote:

“The loss of lives in the fire accident in Lucknow is extremely tragic and heart-rending… I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls attain peace and the injured recover swiftly.”

Compensation and Financial Assistance Announced

The central and state governments have announced ex-gratia relief for the families of the deceased and those injured:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated he was “anguished by the loss of lives,” assuring that authorities are providing all possible assistance on the ground.

Lucknow MP and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also called the incident “heart-wrenching,” extending his prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.