A devastating fire swept through a commercial building in Lucknow's Aliganj area on Monday afternoon, killing 18 people, the majority of whom were students, and injuring several others. The blaze, which began around 2:30 pm in Sector-D, rapidly engulfed the upper floors where students and trainees were attending classes and animation sessions, turning an ordinary afternoon into one of the city's deadliest fire tragedies.
Blaze and Panic
According to initial accounts from officials and witnesses, thick smoke quickly filled the building before the fire was visible, trapping dozens inside. Panic spread as people tried to escape. Some jumped from windows and terraces, others smashed glass panes and attempted to climb down using electric wires. Several locked themselves in washrooms and kept water running in a desperate bid to survive. For many, the smoke proved fatal.
The cause of the fire is reportedly a blast in an air conditioner compressor on the second floor, according to preliminary investigations.
Building Violations and Arrests
A preliminary probe revealed that the building had approval only for a residential ground floor, but a four-storey commercial structure was operating from the premises. The building allegedly lacked no-objection certificates from the fire and electrical safety departments. Authorities also found that the sanctioned electricity load was 20 kilowatts, but the building was drawing 35.50 kilowatts.
The property is registered in the name of Virendra Prasad Shukla, while the building plan was approved in the names of Surendra Shukla and Dhirendra Shukla. Four joint owners of the building have been arrested, and the government has suspended four officials for negligence.
Rescue and Hospital Response
According to Lucknow's King George Medical University Medical Superintendent Prem Raj Singh, around 22 to 23 victims were brought to the hospital. Fifteen were declared dead on arrival, while several others were admitted with injuries.
Local residents joined rescue efforts even before emergency teams arrived. Lance Naik Chhaviram, who was passing by, also stepped in to help. Firefighters, police personnel, and SDRF teams eventually broke through a wall from an adjoining building and launched rescue operations. Nearly a dozen fire tenders and specialised equipment were deployed.
Heartbreaking Survivor Stories
Jayant Gupta, a 26-year-old animation student, survived after jumping from the building. His father recalled receiving a frantic phone call in which his son screamed, “Papa, aaj shayad na bach paun. Bhishan aag mein phans gaya hoon (stuck in a fierce fire, probably won’t survive).” Jayant survived but suffered serious injuries.
Another survivor, Pankaj from Uttarakhand, broke down while recalling the death of his friend Bhavishya. The two had come to Lucknow hoping to build careers in animation. “I survived, but my friend couldn’t,” he said.
Government Response and Compensation
The tragedy prompted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to cut short his visit to Aligarh. He returned to Lucknow, visited the site and KGMU to meet survivors and families. He constituted a two-member special investigation team to submit a report within seven days. “We cannot bring back the lives lost, but I assure you that those responsible will not be spared,” CM Yogi said, directing the Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to personally inspect the site and submit reports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. BSP chief Mayawati described the incident as “extremely painful”.
