Lucknow Inferno: 15 Dead as Fire Rips Through Coaching Centre
Lucknow Inferno: 15 Dead as Fire Rips Through Coaching Centre
Tragedy strikes Lucknow as a massive fire at a coaching centre claims 15 lives, mostly young students. Officials promise swift investigation and compensation.
A devastating fire tore through a coaching centre in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 15 people. The victims were reportedly all in their 20s, highlighting the tragic loss of young lives.
The blaze erupted in a three-storey commercial building, which housed not only the coaching centre but also a library, an animation studio, and a veterinary clinic. The fire, which began around 2:30 PM, is believed to have started on the middle floor. Despite the rapid response of eight fire tenders, which brought the inferno under control after approximately three hours, the damage was immense.
Authorities have revealed that the building, while used for various commercial purposes, was reportedly approved as a residential structure, raising serious questions about safety compliance. Four individuals have since been arrested in connection with the incident as investigations intensify.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath visited the site and announced a thorough investigation, promising that those responsible would be brought to justice. A special team has been formed to investigate the incident and is expected to submit a report within seven days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹200,000 from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 to the injured. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the local MP, described the incident as "very unfortunate" and assured that "responsibility will be fixed."
Rescuers managed to save at least 10 people, who were rushed to the hospital for treatment, with two students reportedly suffering serious injuries. Police stated that at least 21 students were present in the building when the fire broke out. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.
This tragic event follows a similar hotel fire in Delhi just a few weeks prior, which resulted in 21 fatalities, underscoring persistent concerns about fire safety regulations and their enforcement in public and commercial establishments across the country.
