Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire: Death Toll Rises to 18 as Priyanka Chaturvedi Calls Tragedy “Heartbreaking”
A devastating fire at a coaching centre in Lucknow has left the city in deep shock, with the death toll rising to 18 as officials continue rescue and identification efforts in the Aliganj area.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi reacted strongly to the tragedy, calling it deeply heartbreaking. In a post on X, she wrote, “15 kids and 6 pets all gone in the fire. Truly heartbreaking to read,” reflecting widespread grief over the scale of loss.
Officials said that out of the 18 victims, nearly 15 have been identified so far, and families have been informed. Most of the deceased were young students, reportedly in the age group of 20 to 24 years, attending classes at the coaching institute when the fire broke out.
The fire erupted suddenly inside a multi-use building housing the coaching centre in the Aliganj locality, quickly filling the structure with thick smoke. Panic spread as students struggled to find exits, with many eyewitnesses reporting desperate attempts to escape through upper floors and openings.
Fire and rescue teams rushed multiple tenders to the spot and launched a difficult evacuation operation under heavy smoke conditions and limited access inside the building. Authorities said at least 12 people were initially rescued and taken for treatment, while firefighting efforts continued for hours.
Reports also confirm that animals housed in a pet shop within the same building were trapped in the blaze, adding to the scale of the tragedy. The mixed use of the building has raised serious concerns about fire safety compliance and enforcement.
Preliminary assessments suggest that dense smoke, poor ventilation, and restricted exit routes played a major role in the high death toll. Rescue teams had to break through alternative entry points to reach those trapped inside.
