A significant fire erupted at a multi-storey commercial building housing a coaching centre in Lucknow’s Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, prompting a large-scale response from the fire department. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene to combat the blaze and conduct rescue operations.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the fire broke out around 3 p.m. in a three-storey building located on Usha Mehta Marg, falling under the jurisdiction of the Aliganj police station. Initial reports suggested that some individuals might have been trapped inside, while others were forced to evacuate by jumping from the building to escape the rapidly spreading flames. However, as of the latest updates, no casualties have been officially confirmed, with authorities awaiting further details.
The Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, visited the site to assess the situation. He was briefed by officials involved in the firefighting and rescue efforts.
Eyewitness accounts shared the chaotic scenes as young individuals, believed to be students attending the coaching centre, managed to exit the building. There were also claims from bystanders that several students could still be inside. A fire department official involved in the operation stated that the first floor had been thoroughly searched and no individuals were found there. A local resident operating a paying guest facility corroborated the panic, mentioning that some people were asserting that students remained trapped.
Visuals from the incident depicted firefighting teams in protective gear ascending the building using external ladders. Another team was observed creating an access point from an adjacent building of similar height, while other units concentrated on extinguishing the fire. Unverified footage circulating on social media purportedly showed a youth falling from the first floor amid flames, with bystanders rushing to assist him. The condition of this individual was not immediately known.
A local resident told PTI news agency upon arrival at the scene, “I saw smoke billowing from the building. Some students had already been rescued and 4 to 5 students managed to come out of the building. However, some are still believed to be trapped inside, though the exact number has not been confirmed. Our only hope is that everyone comes out safely. The firefighters took some time to reach the spot.”
Another local resident suggested that the fire might have originated from an electrical spark. This individual claimed that “Seven to eight students jumped from the building to save themselves. However, around 20 to 25 students are still feared to be trapped inside.” The firefighting operation was ongoing at the time of reporting, with fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, working to contain the blaze. The district administration and police maintained a cordon around the building to facilitate the rescue efforts and manage the crowd.
The building reportedly housed multiple classrooms and administrative offices for the coaching centre, which caters to students preparing for various competitive examinations. The intensity of the fire, evident from the thick smoke emanating from the structure, raised concerns about the structural integrity of the building and the safety of those potentially trapped within. Fire officials deployed advanced equipment, including breathing apparatus for personnel entering smoke-filled areas, to ensure the safety of the rescue teams and maximise their effectiveness.
The incident has drawn attention to the safety protocols in place at such educational establishments, particularly regarding fire safety measures. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and assess compliance with building codes and fire safety regulations once the immediate crisis has been managed.
The Aliganj area, a busy commercial and residential hub, experienced traffic disruptions as emergency vehicles converged on the scene. Local police worked to divert traffic and maintain order, ensuring unobstructed access for the fire tenders. The prolonged nature of the firefighting operation underscored the severity of the blaze and the challenges faced by the emergency responders.
The Chenab Times News Desk