A catastrophic fire at a coaching institute in Lucknow, the capital of India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, including students. The tragedy, which occurred on Monday, has triggered a massive emergency response and reignited national concerns over fire safety standards in India’s education sector.
The fire broke out this afternoon at a commercial building in Aliganj area of Lucknow.
The Uttar Pradesh Fire & Emergency Services deployed 19 fire tenders to battle the blaze. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), conducted a room-by-room search to ensure no survivors remained trapped in the debris.
The injured have been admitted to the King George Medical University (KGMU) Trauma Centre, where they are currently undergoing emergency treatment.
UP’s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the scene to oversee the relief operations. He has confirmed that a high-level inquiry is underway to determine the cause of the blaze and to investigate whether the facility was in compliance with India’s building safety regulations.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued a formal statement expressing deep anguish and extending condolences to the bereaved families.
As the smoke clears, the focus in Lucknow has shifted to identifying those responsible for potential safety lapses. The incident has raised critical questions regarding the enforcement of fire safety codes in private coaching centers across India, where thousands of students often study in high-density, multi-story buildings.