Tragic Fire Claims Lives of Students in Lucknow: What Happened?
Devastating Fire in Lucknow
Lucknow: A catastrophic fire erupted in a three-story commercial building in a residential area of north Lucknow on a bustling Monday afternoon, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 12 students.
Witnesses reported that numerous individuals leaped from the building as flames engulfed the structure, which housed both a pet clinic and a student center.
To combat the inferno, 14 fire engines, including a hydraulic platform, were dispatched to the scene after the fire was first reported around 3 PM at Usha Mehta Marg in the Aliganj locality.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, present at the site, stated, "The fire broke out unexpectedly. It was an animation center. While the exact sequence of events remains unclear, it appears that the children attempted to escape to the rear when the fire ignited, but unfortunately, they could not survive. I personally witnessed 11 to 12 bodies."
During the rescue efforts, 11 individuals were seen being removed from the building, some in body bags and others wrapped in blankets.
Rescue teams had to drill two large openings into the affected building from the terrace of a neighboring structure to facilitate access while the fire was still active.
High-ranking officials, including Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna, and Lucknow Police Commissioner Amrendra Sengar, arrived to oversee the rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the families of each deceased, while those injured would receive Rs. 50,000.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh to return to Lucknow upon learning of the fire disaster.
The building is situated in the upscale Aliganj neighborhood, known for its commercial establishments, including coaching centers and cafes, and is within walking distance of the Purania market.
Animal rights activist Kiran Shukla expressed concern that animals in the pet clinic may have been trapped in the fire.
Around 4:40 PM, at least three animal bodies wrapped in blankets were retrieved from the building, as reported by eyewitnesses.
A police spokesperson confirmed that local authorities responded promptly to the incident, dispatching teams from nearby fire stations equipped with water tenders and firefighting gear. Subsequently, NDRF, SDRF, and civil defense teams joined the rescue efforts.
Footage from the scene depicted firefighters in protective gear scaling the building with ladders. Another team was seen creating an access point from the upper side of an adjacent building to enter the affected structure, while others continued to battle the flames.
A local resident recounted, "Upon my arrival, I noticed smoke billowing from the building. Some students had already been rescued, and 4 to 5 managed to escape. However, it is feared that others remain trapped inside, though the exact number is uncertain. We can only hope for their safe return. The firefighters took some time to arrive."
Another local speculated that the fire might have been sparked by an electrical issue, noting that seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves, while approximately 20 to 25 students are still believed to be trapped.
Distraught relatives and guardians of the victims gathered near the site, pleading with authorities to allow them access to the building as rescue operations continued.