A massive fire engulfed a three-floor commercial building in Lucknow, housing an animation centre, resulting in the deaths of 15 people, with seven injured undergoing treatment. According to Dr. Anil Agrawal, Medical Superintendent, Trauma Centre, KGMU, 21 to 22 children were brought to the hospital, with 15 declared dead on arrival. Five had minor injuries and were admitted, while two children who jumped from the building suffered back injuries and were being treated after CT scans and other procedures.
The fire department received information about the blaze from a coaching institute located at Usha Mehta Marg under Aliganj police station limits, and fire tenders were rushed to the spot, with rescue operations underway. Unverified videos circulating on social media showed a youth falling from the first floor of the building amid flames near a railing, with locals moving him away from the area. Eyewitnesses reported that eight students jumped from the building amid the blaze, while several others were feared trapped inside.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the fire spot to monitor the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. He stated that the priority was to safely rescue anyone trapped inside the building, with hospitals, ambulances, and medical teams ready and arrangements made for the treatment of any injured students. The three-storey building housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation centre on the upper floor.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered, with the government standing with the victim’s families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF to the kin of each deceased, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary to visit the site and submit a detailed report.
