Lucknow fire kills 18 at Aliganj coaching centre; Modi, Yogi announce ex gratia
Synopsis
Eighteen young adults — most aged 20 to 24 — died when a fire ripped through a mixed-use commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj on Monday, trapping students in a coaching centre with blocked exits. The scale of the tragedy drew responses from PM Modi and CM Yogi, both announcing ex gratia payments, but the incident throws a harsh spotlight on fire safety compliance in India's coaching-centre belt.
Key Takeaways
At least 18 people were killed in a fire at a three-storey commercial building in Aliganj, Lucknow on 22 June .
Victims are reported to be aged between 20 and 24 years ; the building housed a coaching centre and a gaming zone .
PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from the PMNRF .
CM Yogi Adityanath announced ₹5 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from the state government.
Some victims reportedly jumped from upper floors to escape; rescue teams drilled through a wall to create an emergency exit.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched; authorities are examining fire safety compliance.
At least 18 people were killed on Monday, 22 June when a devastating fire tore through a three-storey commercial building in the Purania area of Aliganj, Lucknow, according to police. The building housed a coaching centre, a gaming zone, and other establishments — and the victims are reported to be predominantly young adults aged between 20 and 24 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath both expressed grief and announced financial assistance for the affected families.
How the Fire Unfolded
The blaze broke out in the afternoon, igniting inside the coaching centre before rapidly spreading thick smoke through the entire structure. Exit routes were quickly choked by flames and fumes, leaving students and others trapped on upper floors. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the building as panic set in among those inside.
In desperate attempts to escape, several individuals rushed to windows and the rooftop. Some reportedly jumped from upper floors and the terrace, sustaining serious injuries in the process. Rescue teams drilled a hole through the building's wall to create an emergency exit for those still trapped.
Rescue and Relief Operations
Multiple teams from the fire brigade, police, and district administration were immediately deployed to the site. Senior officials — including the District Magistrate and the Police Commissioner — were present on the ground, overseeing rescue and relief efforts. An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched.
Chief Minister Adityanath, who was in Aligarh at the time, cut short his visit and returned to Lucknow to meet victims admitted to hospital.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Adityanath posted on social media: 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.
His office subsequently announced that the state government would provide ₹5 lakh to the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 to each injured person, with directives to ensure proper medical treatment for all those hurt.
Prime Minister Modi also posted his condolences, stating: 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.
He announced that ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 to each injured person.
Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh also offered condolences, calling the incident heart-wrenching
and praying for the swift recovery of the injured.
The Broader Safety Question
The Lucknow tragedy comes amid recurring concerns over fire safety compliance in commercial buildings that house coaching centres and entertainment venues across India's tier-1 and tier-2 cities. Overcrowded premises, inadequate emergency exits, and the co-location of high-footfall establishments in single structures have repeatedly been flagged by safety auditors. This incident is likely to renew pressure on state administrations to enforce building codes and fire safety norms more rigorously. Authorities are expected to widen the investigation to examine whether the building had valid fire safety clearances.
Point of View
Gaming zones, and retail outlets into single structures with inadequate fire exits, often with the tacit approval of local bodies that issue occupancy certificates without rigorous safety audits. The ex gratia announcements from both the Centre and the state are a necessary response, but they do not address the question of accountability: who cleared this building for multi-use occupation, and when was it last inspected? Without answers — and consequences — the next Aliganj is already waiting to happen.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Lucknow Aliganj fire on 22 June?
A major fire broke out in a three-storey commercial building in the Purania area of Aliganj, Lucknow, on 22 June, killing at least 18 people. The building housed a coaching centre and a gaming zone; the blaze started in the afternoon and spread rapidly, trapping students and others inside.
What ex gratia has been announced for Lucknow fire victims?
PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from the PMNRF. CM Yogi Adityanath separately announced ₹5 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from the Uttar Pradesh state government.
Who were the victims of the Lucknow coaching centre fire?
The deceased are reported to be young adults predominantly aged between 20 and 24 years, many of them students who were present in the coaching centre at the time of the fire.
How did people try to escape the Lucknow building fire?
With exit routes blocked by flames and thick smoke, some individuals jumped from upper floors and the terrace, sustaining serious injuries. Rescue teams also drilled a hole through the building's wall to create an emergency escape route for those still trapped.
What is the status of the investigation into the Lucknow fire?
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Senior officials including the District Magistrate and Police Commissioner were present at the site. It is expected that the probe will also examine whether the building held valid fire safety clearances.
