• Source:JND

Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire: A massive blaze ripped through a coaching-cum-gaming zone in UP capital Lucknow's Aliganj, claiming at least 15 lives so far and leaving almost a dozen others with burn injuries. Several other victims, mostly students, have sustained injuries after jumping from the windows of the three-storey building to escape the deadly fire. Senior officials from the UP administration, including the Lucknow DM and the DGP, have reached the spot to review the situation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also visited the fire site, cutting short his Aligarh visit. He also met the injured at the King George Medical University in Lucknow and announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took cognisance of the tragedy and announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 assistance to the injured.

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UP deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, who was among the first responders, said that details on how and why the fire occurred will be ascertained only after a detailed inquiry. He said that authorities have completed the search operation at the site and confirmed that no children remain trapped. The ill-fated commercial building housed an animation coaching centre, a pet shop and clinic and a pharmacy, among other establishments.

Lucknow Fire News Latest Updates:

- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a Special Investigating Team probe into the Lucknow fire. A two-member SIT has been formed on the CM's instructions, which will investigate the incident and submit a report to the CM within seven days. The two-member SIT includes Amrit Abhijat, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Charitable and Culture Department, and Praveen Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, Lucknow Zone.

- CM Yogi cancels all his official engagements scheduled for Tuesday. He was scheduled to visit Hathras to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 143 development projects worth Rs 548 crore. Moreover, he was also slated to visit Agra for a review meeting on development works and the law-and-order situation. 

- UP minister Suresh Khanna said, "The incident is extremely heartbreaking and deeply unfortunate. Those who play with people's lives in such a manner must be held accountable. The exact facts will emerge once the investigation is completed. However, this is Yogi government, and under his administration, such people will not be spared. There will be no delay, and whoever is found guilty will face the strictest possible action."

- "Our condolences to those who lost their lives in the fire at a coaching center in Lucknow. Our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones. The government must ensure the best medical care for the injured. This is an extremely tragic incident. There should be an honest investigation into the causes behind it, those children could have belonged to anyone's home. Preventing such heartbreaking accidents in the future should be our collective effort," Akhilesh Yadav said.

- UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said, "the injured students are receiving proper medical treatment. One child is currently undergoing surgery after suffering an abdominal injury caused by a fall, while all the other injured children are out of danger. All necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the best possible treatment."

- Pathak further said that a team has been formed to conduct the postmortem examinations of the students who lost their lives overnight. "Instructions have been issued today to ensure a thorough investigation and to prevent such incidents from recurring. The administration has been directed to submit an immediate report, and safety measures, including alternative exit routes, must be ensured in all buildings where children gather or where large crowds assemble."

- Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has left for Lucknow. He will first visit the site of the fire incident to assess the situation and will then proceed to King George’s Medical University (KGMU) to meet the injured and inquire about their condition.

- According to King George Medical University (KGMU) PRO, Prof K K Singh, as quoted by PTI, "A total of 22 people were brought to the Trauma Centre of King George's Medical University (KGMU) following the incident. Of them, 15 were declared brought dead, while five injured persons were admitted for treatment, and their condition was stable."

- According to officials, most of the victims were trapped on the second floor of the building, where students were attending classes at an animation centre.

- After inspecting the fire site, Yogi Adityanath visited the King George's Medical University, where the injured have been admitted. 

- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached the fire spot and inspected the area with senior officials and his deputy, Brajesh Pathak. 

- According to UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, the search operation was completed at around 6:30 pm, and no students were found trapped in the building. "Strict action will be takren against those found responsible with no leniency. The government has reiterated its full support to the affected families and said all necessary assistance will be provided," he said.

- Soon, panic ensued across the vicinity. The firefighters reached the spot and broke through a wall of the adjoining house to gain access to the ill-fated building. They also installed exhaust fans to move the thick smoke away. Visuals from the scene showed firefighting teams wearing safety gear climbing the building using ladders from outside.

- Shortly after, the fire engulfed the entire 3-storey building and blocked the single exit point. The officials at the site said that the blockage of the entry/exit gate trapped the students, which may have led to the high number of casualties.  

-According to eyewitnesses, the fire began around noon and soon engulfed the entire building. An eyewitness, as quoted by ANI, said that he first noted thick smoke billowing from the building and some students rushing outside. "We managed to save 5-6 people. After the fire broke out, a man jumped from the building in panic and was seriously injured," he said. 


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