Inferno Traps Students: 14 Children Die In India Coaching Centre Fire
A devastating fire ripped through a commercial building housing a library and coaching centre in northern India on Monday, killing at least 14 children and leaving several others injured in one of the country’s deadliest building fires this year.
The tragedy occurred in Aliganj, a densely populated area of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh State, where flames rapidly engulfed a three-storey building packed with students and staff. Authorities said the victims were mostly young students attending classes at the facility.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as a heartbreaking loss for families across the State.
“Fourteen children from happy families were killed in the incident,” Pathak told reporters, adding that at least four other people sustained injuries and were receiving treatment.
According to officials, the blaze broke out on one of the middle floors of the building before spreading quickly to other sections of the structure. The complex reportedly housed a library, a coaching centre for college students, and other commercial establishments. Thick smoke soon filled the premises, trapping occupants inside and turning the building into a death trap.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as students scrambled for safety. Several people were seen jumping from windows and upper floors in desperate attempts to escape the advancing flames and choking smoke. Videos circulating on local media showed terrified occupants calling for help while firefighters battled the inferno below.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, police officers and disaster management personnel, rushed to the scene and launched a large-scale rescue operation. Rescue teams reportedly had to breach parts of the building to reach those trapped inside as dense smoke hampered evacuation efforts. At least 10 survivors were pulled from the structure and taken to hospital for treatment.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest the blaze may have originated within the building before spreading rapidly, but officials said a full investigation has been ordered to establish what happened and whether safety regulations were violated.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about fire safety standards in commercial and educational buildings across India, where deadly fires linked to poor compliance with safety regulations have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, expressed condolences to the bereaved families and directed officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care. Authorities have also promised a thorough probe into the disaster and accountability for any lapses that may have contributed to the loss of lives.
