A massive fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area killed 11 people on Monday, trapping several students and forcing some to jump from the first floor to escape.
The blaze broke out in a three-storey commercial building that also housed a pet shop and other stores. Witnesses reported shattered windows during rescue efforts and described scenes of panic as students tried to flee. One video showed a man falling from a ledge after climbing out of a broken window, suffering injuries before being carried to safety.
The fire raged for over an hour before teams brought it under control. Police and fire officials reached the spot quickly, and Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak monitored rescue operations. Witnesses said five to seven students jumped, with at least one suffering broken bones.
Authorities confirmed that 11 bodies were recovered after the fire was doused. Bystanders reported that several people remained trapped inside, though officials did not confirm exact numbers.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and directed officials to contact affected families and provide assistance. The tragedy has raised concerns about fire safety in commercial buildings housing educational institutions.
