Lucknow: 15 people mostly students aged between 16 and 25 years died in a tragic fire incident in Aliganj area of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh this afternoon. The fire broke out at an animation coaching centre operating above a shop in Puraniya area of Aliganj, triggering panic among students. Six students got injured and have been admitted to the KGMC Lucknow. Most of the deaths were caused by suffocation.
The blaze reportedly erupted inside the institute building and spread rapidly, trapping people inside. It was a shopping complex with coaching, game zone and showrooms in it. Fire brigade teams, police personnel and district administration officials rushed to the spot and launched rescue and evacuation efforts. Some people tried to save their lives by jumping from the first floor.
Firefighters broke through the wall and entered the building. Talking to the media, Deputy CM of UP Brijesh Pathak said that the high-level committee comprising DGP and additional chief secretary of the state will investigate the matter and find the reasons behind the fire so that this kind of incident never happens in future.
The chief minister, Yogi Adityanath said that the culprits will not be spared. He left his visit to Aligarh and Firozabad districts incomplete and returned to Lucknow. He inspected the incident site and also visited the injured in the hospital.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
