At least three people were killed after a fire broke out at a coaching centre in the Purania area of Aliganj, Lucknow, on Monday, 22 June, trapping dozens of students inside the building, according to officials. The blaze triggered a large-scale rescue operation, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally monitoring the situation and directing senior officials to rush to the spot.

How the Fire Unfolded

Eight fire tenders were deployed to the scene, and firefighters broke through a building wall to evacuate trapped victims, including approximately two dozen students, police said. As the blaze intensified, some students were seen jumping from upper floors to escape the flames and smoke. The injured were transported to the King George Medical University (KGMU) Trauma Centre for treatment.

A team of specialist doctors and six ambulances were stationed at the site to provide first aid and facilitate rapid transfer to hospitals. The scale of the emergency response underscored the severity of the incident.

Desperate Moments for Families

Shakeel Ahmed, the elder brother of a student trapped inside, rushed to the spot alongside other guardians. 'My younger brother is trapped inside. The last message we received from him on the phone was that he was rushing towards the washroom to escape the fire and smoke,' he said. The account reflects the panic that gripped families gathered outside the burning building.

What the Government Said

An official from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that Adityanath issued directives immediately upon receiving information about the incident, instructing concerned officials to reach the spot and assess the situation. Necessary guidelines were issued to expedite relief and rescue operations, and the Chief Minister directed that adequate medical facilities be made available to the injured.

'The administration has been asked to remain vigilant at all levels and keep a constant watch on the situation. Instructions have also been given to ensure continuous monitoring of relief and rescue operations,' the CMO functionary said.

Context and Concerns

The Aliganj fire adds to a pattern of fire safety incidents at educational and commercial buildings across Uttar Pradesh and other Indian states, where overcrowding and inadequate fire exits have repeatedly come under scrutiny. This comes amid growing calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms at coaching centres, which often operate out of multi-storey buildings with limited emergency infrastructure. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire, and an investigation is expected to follow.