Tragic Fire in Lucknow Claims Lives of 15 Amid Desperate Rescue Attempts
A catastrophic fire at an animation training center in Lucknow has led to the tragic loss of 15 lives, leaving families devastated. Eyewitness accounts reveal harrowing scenes of desperation as students and professionals attempted to escape the flames. Many were trapped inside, leading to frantic rescue efforts. The community rallied to help, but the tragedy has left a profound impact on all involved. This incident highlights the urgent need for safety measures in commercial buildings. Read on for a detailed account of the events and the aftermath.
| Jun 23, 2026, 12:29 IST
Desperate Calls for Help Amidst Flames
"Please, save me"... This urgent plea echoed from within a commercial building in Lucknow, home to an animation training center. Flames and smoke engulfed the upper floors, trapping students and young professionals inside. By the end of the day, one of the most devastating fire incidents in recent years resulted in the loss of 15 lives. Initially, many believed it was just a routine fire, but it quickly escalated into a major tragedy. Videos surfaced on social media showing individuals hanging from window ledges, attempting to escape via pipes, and shouting for help as thick black smoke billowed from the upper floors.
Emergency Response and Chaos
By the time emergency services arrived, six fire engines were already on the scene, with flames leaping from multiple floors and dense smoke pouring from the building. Witnesses reported hearing screams and cries for help from inside, indicating that many were still trapped. One eyewitness remarked, "The screams made it clear that several people were still inside."
Students Seek Refuge
As the thick smoke spread throughout the building, students trapped on the upper floors locked themselves in bathrooms, hoping rescuers would reach them in time. Some attempted to escape through windows. Then came one of the most terrifying moments.
Unable to withstand the rising flames, a young man opened a window and jumped from the upper floor. Bystanders watched in horror as he fell onto a grill below; he was later taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Families in Distress
Outside, panic replaced calm as families rushed to the scene after receiving frantic calls from their loved ones. Mothers pleaded with police to allow them into the burning complex, while locals desperately tried to help those trapped inside by breaking windows with whatever they could find.
Survivors Share Their Ordeal
'Everything was burning'
A survivor recounted the terrifying moments inside the building. Showing his burned hands to TV cameras, he described the panic that spread among those trapped as the fire rapidly advanced and the upper floors filled with thick smoke. "Everything was burning. We were running. I jumped down holding onto a burning wire. My hands got burned while trying to escape," he said.
Trapped Students' Last Resort
Students Locked in Bathrooms
The three-story commercial complex in Aliganj housed a pet shop and veterinary clinic on the basement, ground, and first floors. The second floor featured a coaching center named 'Learning Space' and 'Head Hopper Studio,' specializing in 3D art production and game asset outsourcing. Many of those inside were students attending animation classes during the summer break, along with young artists and staff working at the studio.
As smoke rapidly filled the upper floors and escape routes were blocked, several students locked themselves in bathrooms in a desperate attempt to avoid the flames, hoping rescuers would arrive in time. One trapped youth called his family and friends to inform them that five or six people had taken refuge in the bathroom and were waiting to be rescued. Unfortunately, help did not arrive in time for many.
A Student's Fatal Leap
Student Jumps from Upper Floor
The most shocking moment occurred when a student jumped from the upper floor to escape the fire. He fell onto a grill and sustained serious injuries. Witnesses reported that people gathered below, trying to help, while those trapped desperately searched for any way out. Scenes from the site showed locals rushing to assist the injured student before he was taken for treatment. Many others managed to escape with minor injuries, while several remained trapped inside the smoke-filled building.
Heartbreaking Scenes Outside
'Let me go to my son'
As the fire raged, heartbreaking scenes unfolded outside the building. Relatives who received calls for help from their loved ones rushed to the scene, only to find the structure engulfed in flames. A distraught mother repeatedly pleaded with officials to let her enter the building. "Let me go to my son," she cried, trying to push past police officers. The area echoed with the cries of families as rescuers battled the blaze. Many relatives spent hours waiting for news about their loved ones.
The Last Hours of Aditya
Aditya's Last Hours
The atmosphere at the scene shifted dramatically as senior officials began preparing for the worst. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who arrived at the site, was heard instructing officials over the phone to send every available ambulance to Aliganj. "Send all available ambulances immediately," he said. Shortly after, rescue workers began requesting more stretchers. Then, the worst fears were confirmed. The first body was pulled from the smoke-filled building. Then a second. And then a third. Soon, a rescuer shouted that the stretchers were not enough. As the rescue operation continued, silence fell over the crowd. Families waiting outside were shattered as one body after another was retrieved from the charred building. Among the deceased was 25-year-old Aditya Srivastava, an employee at the animation studio. His colleague, Dheeraj Mehra, recalled that Aditya had called him from inside the burning building for help. "He called me and said, 'Save me,' and I rushed to the scene," Mehra recalled. By the time he arrived, the building was engulfed in thick smoke, and rescue teams were racing against dwindling hope.
Grief and Anger from Families
Later, Aditya's mother broke down while discussing her son's death. "If attention had been paid in time, perhaps the children could have been saved. My son worked at the animation studio. I arrived around 2:20 PM. No one answered the phone. If someone had paid a little more attention, my son would be alive today. My world has shattered," she said. Her words reflected the anger and sorrow of families who lost their young sons and daughters in this tragedy.
Local Community Steps Up
Local Residents Come to Aid
At the post-mortem house, the tragic impact of the incident lingered long after the fire was extinguished. Relatives of victims, including Abdul Rahman and Sukhmany, arrived seeking answers. Many stood weeping, clutching mobile phones with pictures of their loved ones.