Lucknow: At least 15 people were killed and several others injured after a massive fire broke out in a three-storey building on Usha Mehta Marg in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday.
The building housed a coaching centre as well as a gaming parlour, authorities said.
Some people are still feared trapped inside. Rescue workers are working to get everyone out.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak said rescue teams were carrying out a room-by-room search after reports that some students remained inside the building, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Stretchers were taken inside through an adjacent building, as the fire was brought under control. Rescue personnel created a hole in the wall to facilitate the movement of stretchers into the affected structure. Officials believe that four to five people may still be trapped inside.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish at the loss of lives in the fire incident in Lucknow, and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished a speedy recovery to the injured and said rescue operations were underway, with authorities providing all possible assistance.
The PM also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would receive ₹50,000.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
He directed senior officials to immediately reach out to the affected families and provide all possible assistance. He also instructed authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for those injured in the fire.
“The rescue operation is expected to be completed soon… Our priority is to ensure the safe rescue of all the children. Most of them have already been evacuated,” deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak told reporters.
He said that firefighters adopted innovative methods to gain access to the building. “Fire brigade personnel gained entry by breaking through a wall on the second floor of an adjacent house. Due to heavy smoke, exhaust fans have been installed, and a room-by-room search operation is underway. Every single room has been searched, and the washrooms have been checked,” he said.
In heartwrenching videos that were circulated, students were spotted jumping from the first floor of the building to escape the blaze.
The reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained. An inquiry has been ordered and authorities will check if the address has all licences and necessary fire-fighting equipment.
