Fire breaks out at Lucknow commercial building: 14 dead, CM Adityanath visits site

At least 14 people were charred to death after a fire broke out at a three-storey commercial building in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh on Monday (June 22) afternoon.

"The fire broke out suddenly. It was an animation centre. While there is no immediate clarity about the sequence of events, it seems that the children ran towards the back side when the fire broke out… but they couldn’t survive. While there is no clarity about the exact figure, I saw 11-12 bodies with my own eyes," Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who was at the site, told reporters.

Eyewitnesses said several people jumped out of the building as fire engulfed the structure that houses a pet clinic as well as a centre for students. A police official said the local police reached the spot immediately after receiving information, and teams from nearby fire stations were rushed with water tenders and firefighting equipment. Later, NDRF, SDRF, and civil defence teams also joined the rescue operation.

Several feared trapped

Fourteen fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, were deployed to control the blaze that was reported at around 3 pm from the building located at Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj area.

The incident triggered a panic in the area, and the fire department launched a large-scale rescue operation. Several people reportedly suffered injuries in the fire, while many were feared to be trapped inside.

The blaze reportedly started inside the building in the city’s Aliganj area that has a coaching-cum-gaming zone. It spread rapidly, trapping people. Officials from the fire department, police and district administration rushed to the spot to oversee the evacuation efforts.

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The fire department received information about the blaze at around 3 pm from a coaching institute located at Usha Mehta Marg under Aliganj police station limits, officials said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Disturbing visuals emerged from the scene showing people jumping from the ill-fated building’s first floor to escape the deadly fire and thick, engulfing smoke.

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One eyewitness named Aman was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, "There is a library or a computer course institution here. When we reached here, we saw smoke coming from the building. We saved 5-6 people. After the fire broke out, a man jumped from the building, and he was seriously injured. There are still some people trapped inside..."

CM Adityanath visits site, meets injured in hospital

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who earlier asked officials to reach the site and take stock of the rescue operations and ensure quick medical treatment for the injured, himself visited the building in the evening.

He also met the injured people at King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, located around five kilometres from the building, assuring them that strict action against those found responsible.

"Every person responsible will face strict action," the chief minister told the affected families. The chief minister also spoke to an injured woman who was on oxygen support.

Uttar Pradesh's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad and senior police officials accompanied him during the inspection, according to an official statement. Deputy CM Pathak and Lucknow District Magistrate Vishakh G were also present at the site, it added.

The CM announced an ex gratia assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those who died in the fire and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.

Earlier, Adityanath had cut short his visit to Aligarh and returned to Lucknow after receiving information about the fire tragedy.

Deceased mostly young people

According to a report in India Today, most of those who lost their lives are believed to have been young people who were inside the building when the blaze erupted. The fatalities were confirmed after several hours of uncertainty as emergency personnel searched the smoke-engulfed premises for survivors.

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Earlier, authorities had maintained that no deaths had been officially confirmed. Rescue teams were conducting an extensive floor-by-floor and room-by-room operation amid reports that some occupants may have locked themselves inside washrooms in an attempt to escape the fire and thick smoke.

PM announces compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragedy and announced financial relief for the families of those killed and for people injured in the incident.

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"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. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing all possible assistance," the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister's Office also announced ex gratia assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Under the relief package, the next of kin of each deceased victim will receive Rs 2 lakh, while those injured in the fire will be provided Rs 50,000.