Lucknow coaching centre fire kills 14; Yogi announces ₹5 lakh ex gratia
Synopsis
A fire ripped through a three-storey coaching centre in Lucknow's Aliganj neighbourhood, killing at least 14 young students aged 20–24. With CM Yogi announcing ₹5 lakh per family and PM Modi committing ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF, the political response has been swift — but the tragedy once again exposes the chronic failure to enforce fire safety norms in India's booming coaching industry.
Key Takeaways
At least 14 people were killed in a fire at a coaching centre in Aliganj, Lucknow on 22 June ; all victims were aged 20–24 .
CM Yogi Adityanath announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured person.
PM Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 for the injured.
The fire broke out in a three-storey building in the Purniya area of Aliganj , rapidly filling with smoke and triggering panic.
Several individuals sustained serious injuries after jumping from upper floors and the terrace in an attempt to escape.
At least 14 people were killed in a devastating fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow on Monday, 22 June, after a blaze tore through a three-storey building in the Purniya area of Aliganj, triggering panic among students. All victims were aged between 20 and 24 years. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the deaths, visited the injured in hospital, and announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased.
How the Fire Unfolded
Eyewitnesses reported smoke billowing from the building in the afternoon hours, with the fire spreading rapidly and engulfing the structure within a short span. The coaching centre, operating out of the building, quickly filled with thick smoke, sending students into a state of panic. In desperate attempts to escape, several individuals jumped from the upper floors and the terrace, sustaining serious injuries.
Government Response and Financial Assistance
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak confirmed the death toll of 14, all young adults between the ages of 20 and 24. Chief Minister Adityanath directed officials to provide ₹5 lakh to the families of each person killed and ₹50,000 to each injured person, with instructions to ensure proper medical treatment for all those hospitalised.
In a statement, Chief Minister Adityanath said: 'The loss of lives in the fire accident in Lucknow is extremely tragic and heart-rending. My condolences are with the bereaved families. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls attain peace and the injured recover swiftly.'
Prime Minister Modi Also Responds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy in a post on X, saying: '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.' The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) — ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He added that rescue operations were underway and authorities were providing all possible assistance.
A Recurring Safety Crisis
The Lucknow tragedy comes amid growing concerns over fire safety at coaching centres and commercial buildings across India. Unregulated multi-storey structures housing educational institutes have been flagged repeatedly by civic bodies, yet enforcement of fire safety norms remains inconsistent. This incident is likely to renew calls for mandatory safety audits of coaching centres, particularly those operating in residential or mixed-use buildings.
Point of View
Which have mushroomed across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, routinely operate out of structures with inadequate exits, no sprinkler systems, and expired or absent fire NOCs. The ex gratia announcements from both the state and Centre are necessary but insufficient; they address the aftermath, not the cause. The real question is whether this incident will finally compel the Uttar Pradesh government — and others — to conduct mandatory, time-bound safety audits of every coaching centre operating in multi-storey buildings, with consequences for non-compliance.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Lucknow coaching centre fire?
A fire broke out in a three-storey building housing a coaching centre in the Purniya area of Aliganj, Lucknow, on 22 June. At least 14 people, all aged between 20 and 24, were killed; several others were injured, some after jumping from upper floors to escape the blaze.
What ex gratia has CM Yogi Adityanath announced for the victims?
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced ₹5 lakh for the families of each person killed in the fire and ₹50,000 for each injured person. He also directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for all those hospitalised.
What assistance did PM Modi announce for the Lucknow fire victims?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured person. He confirmed rescue operations were underway.
Where exactly did the Lucknow fire occur?
The fire broke out in a three-storey building in the Purniya area of Aliganj, a locality in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The building housed a coaching centre where students were present at the time.
Why do coaching centre fires keep happening in India?
Coaching centres across India frequently operate in multi-storey buildings with inadequate fire exits, no sprinkler systems, and lapsed or absent fire safety clearances. Enforcement of fire safety norms by civic bodies has remained inconsistent, making such incidents a recurring crisis.
