At least 15 students were killed after a massive fire tore through a commercial building housing a pet clinic and a gaming training centre in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday, triggering a frantic rescue operation, desperate escape attempts and a high-level probe ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government.
The fire broke out at around 3 pm in the three-storey building on Usha Mehta Marg in the Purania area, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and triggering panic among residents and people inside the premises.
Authorities said the ground floor housed a pet shop and pet clinic, while the upper floors accommodated a centre where students were taught software development related to gaming and animation. While the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be officially established, preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit.
Firefighters, police personnel, NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence teams launched an intensive rescue operation that continued for hours before the blaze was brought under control. Cooling operations were underway late into the evening.
The scale of the tragedy appeared to overwhelm Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who became emotional while speaking to reporters at the site.
As he described the scenes inside the fire-ravaged building and recounted seeing multiple bodies being recovered during the rescue operation, Pathak broke down before the media.
Pathak told the media, "The fire broke out suddenly. It was an animation centre. While there is no immediate clarity about the sequence of events, it seems that the children ran towards the rear side when the fire broke out, but they couldn't survive."
Most of the victims were aged between 20 and 24 years and were inside the building when the fire broke out. "I saw 11-12 bodies with my own eyes," Pathak added.
Dr Amiya Agrawal, Medical Superintendent of the Trauma Centre at KGMU, Lucknow, said 21 to 22 people had been brought to the hospital.
"Five of them have injuries and have been admitted. Two of them who jumped from the building have suffered back injuries. CT scans have been conducted and treatment is underway. Fifteen people were brought dead and are being sent for post-mortem examinations," he said.
The emotional moment reflected the devastating human toll of the fire, which claimed the lives of 12 men and three women aged between 20 and 24 years.
When the fire first broke out, a video showed firefighters and rescue personnel lowering stranded children to safety using ropes as thick smoke engulfed the building.
The rescue operation continued for several hours as firefighters, police personnel, NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence teams searched the building floor by floor.
Earlier, Pathak told PTI, "Three to four children who managed to come out informed us that some students were still inside the washrooms. We are conducting a room-by-room search, and fire brigade personnel are checking every washroom."
Hospitals, ambulances and medical teams were placed on alert as rescue personnel battled heavy smoke inside the building.
Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed after the fire was reported from the building.
According to PTI, rescue personnel gained access to the affected structure from the terrace of an adjoining building. Teams drilled two large openings into the wall of the fire-hit building while the blaze was still raging in an attempt to reach those trapped inside.
Witnessed 11 victims being brought out during the rescue operation. Some were carried in body bags, while others were wrapped in blankets.
A police official said local police reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the fire and were later joined by NDRF, SDRF and Civil Defence teams.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna and Lucknow Police Commissioner Amrendra Sengar, monitored the rescue operation at the site.
Distraught relatives and guardians gathered outside the building as rescue operations continued, pleading with authorities for information about those trapped inside.
Among them was Shakeel, whose younger brother was inside the building when the fire broke out.
"He called and said, 'Bhaiya, five-six people are locked inside a bathroom.' After that, there was no contact. We have not heard from him since," Shakeel said.
Anxious family members urged officials to allow them into the building as rescue efforts continued.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as smoke rapidly engulfed the building.
A resident was quoted by PTI as saying, "The fire may have been triggered by a spark. Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves. However, around 20 to 25 students were feared to be trapped inside."
Another resident said, "When I arrived at the spot, I saw smoke billowing from the building. Some students had already been rescued, and four to five students managed to come out of the building."
"However, some were still believed to be trapped inside, though the exact number had not been confirmed. Our only hope was that everyone came out safely," he said.
Visuals from the scene showed several people attempting to escape as smoke engulfed the building, with at least one person seen jumping from an upper floor.
Initial reports suggested the fire had broken out at a coaching centre. However, senior police officials later told media that there was no coaching centre or library operating in the building.
According to authorities, the ground floor housed a pet shop and pet clinic, while the upper floors accommodated a training centre where students were taught software development related to gaming and animation.
Animal rights activist Kiran Shukla feared that animals housed in the facility may have been caught in the fire.
According to reports, at least three animal bodies wrapped in blankets were brought out of the building at around 4.40 pm.
Animal lover Charu Khare, who frequently visited the facility, told media that it was more than just a pet supplies store.
"There were not only pet products here. A veterinary doctor also used to sit here and some pets were kept inside. Some people may have managed to run out and save themselves, but it is unlikely that the animals could have escaped the fire on their own," she said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the fire and announced financial assistance for the victims' families.
"Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway and authorities are providing all possible assistance," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister's Office announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased victim. Those injured will receive Rs 50,000.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh after receiving information about the tragedy and returned to Lucknow.
"I had sincerely wished to remain in Aligarh today, but I have to say with sadness that I have just received information about a tragic fire incident in Lucknow. Some children came under its grip and have lost their lives. Therefore, I have to return immediately," the Chief Minister said.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, Yogi said he had directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to visit the site and submit a detailed report.
"I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. I have asked the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to reach the spot and present a report. I am also proceeding there myself so that the matter can be thoroughly investigated, those responsible can be punished and condolences can be conveyed to the affected families," he said.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to establish contact with affected families, provide all possible assistance and ensure proper treatment for the injured.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the incident as heartbreaking and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said the deaths and injuries in the Lucknow fire were "extremely painful" and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said the loss of lives in the fire was deeply painful and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.
BSP chief Mayawati termed the incident extremely tragic and said such disasters shatter the hopes of countless families.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
The building is located in Aliganj, a prominent residential neighbourhood that also houses commercial establishments, coaching institutes and cafes near the busy Purania market area.
Fire and police officials are expected to carry out a detailed investigation after cooling operations are completed and forensic teams inspect the site.
Authorities are also expected to examine whether fire safety norms were followed at the premises as they work to determine the cause of one of the deadliest fire tragedies reported in Lucknow in recent years.
Source: India Today