Fifteen people were “brought dead” to a hospital in Lucknow, and seven injured were undergoing treatment after a massive fire gutted a three-floor commercial building housing an animation centre on Monday (June 22, 2025), according to a hospital official.

Dr. Anil Agrawal, Medical Superintendent, Trauma Centre, KGMU, said that “21 to 22 children were brought in” after the incident.

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“Fifteen people have been brought in a deceased state. They will be sent to the morgue for autopsy after completing the inquest procedure,” he said.

Five had minor injuries and were admitted. “Due to two children jumping, they suffered back injuries, so they are also being treated after CT scans and other procedures,” he said.

“The fire department received information about the blaze from a coaching institute located at Usha Mehta Marg under Aliganj police station limits. Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and rescue operations are underway,” said an official from the fire department.

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Unverified videos circulating on social media showed a youth falling from the first floor of the building amid flames near a railing. Locals were seen moving him away from the area.

According to eyewitnesses, 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.

“When I arrived at the spot, I saw smoke billowing from the building. Some students had already been rescued, and four to five students managed to come out of the building,” said one eyewitness to local media persons.

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“A few casualties are suspected in the incident,” a senior health department official at the site told PTI.

Visuals showed a youth jumping from the first floor of the building as fire engulfed the structure.

A police official said the local police reached the spot immediately after receiving information and teams from nearby fire stations were rushed with water tenders and firefighting equipment. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak also reached the site.

Deputy CM Pathak said the priority was to safely rescue anyone trapped inside the building. While the fire department has said fire broke out in a coaching centre, Mr. Pathak said it was an animation centre.

“Different figures are coming from eyewitnesses regarding how many people may be trapped. A clear picture will emerge after some time,” he said.

VIDEO | Lucknow fire tragedy: Dr. Amiya Agrawal, Medical Superintendent, Trauma Centre, KGMU, Lucknow says, “21-22 children have been brought here, five of them have injuries, they have been admitted, two of them who jumped, have injuries in back, CT scan has been done, they are… pic.twitter.com/fq6VKefSyA

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Mr. Pathak said the fire had broken out at a coaching centre in the building and efforts were being made to rescue all students safely.

“Some of the children have been rescued. Their friends are saying that two-three or three-four children may still be inside. The fire brigade personnel have reached the top floor, but no one has been found inside so far. All rooms and bathrooms have been checked,” he said.

He said fire personnel had also entered the building from the adjoining structure after breaking a wall, as heavy smoke was making the rescue operation challenging.

“A proper search operation is underway. Our priority is to take the injured to the hospital, ensure their best possible treatment and safely evacuate everyone,” Mr. Pathak said.

He added that hospitals, ambulances and medical teams were ready and arrangements had been made for the treatment of any injured students.

A rescue personnel hands over a rescued cat after fire broke out at a commercial building in Aliganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on June 22, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

The deputy CM said the three-storey building housed a pet shop on the ground floor and an animation centre on the upper floor.

“This is a very sad incident; around a dozen youth died, high-level inquiry has been ordered. The government stands with the victim’s families. This is a very sad incident. Thirteen children have been rescued. There is smoke inside; all the rooms are being checked. Fire department officials, NDRF team are inside…” the Deputy CM added.

Eyewitnesses said some firefighters entered the building with wet blankets and some injured persons were taken to hospital in ambulances.

PTI witnessed stretchers and body bags were also taken inside the building as flames were brought under control, though smoke continued to pose a challenge.

A woman living nearby who runs a paying guest facility told PTI that there was panic at the spot and some people were claiming that students might still be inside the building.

Visuals from the scene showed firefighting teams wearing safety gear climbing the building using ladders from outside. Another team was seen attempting to enter from the adjoining building of similar height by creating an access point from the upper side, while other teams continued efforts to douse the flames.

Videos showed a youth falling from the first floor of the building amid flames near the railing. People present outside were seen immediately moving him away from the spot. His condition was not immediately known.

A local told PTI, “When I arrived at the spot, 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,” he said.

Another local said, “The fire may have been triggered by a spark. 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 underway and further details were awaited.

U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident. “The loss of life in the fire accident in Lucknow is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved family. We pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF to the kin of each deceased.

“Anguished by the loss of lives in a fire mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities are providing all possible assistance. An ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” PM Modi said.

Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) are directed by the government to visit the site and submit a detailed report on the incident.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cut short his visit to Aligarh and departed for Lucknow after receiving information about the fire incident in the State capital. Statement from U.P. CM reads, “I am also leaving for the site myself. The matter will be thoroughly investigated and those found responsible will be brought to justice”.

Uttar Pradesh Congress unit president Ajay Rai said such a big incident happening in the State capital, where the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and many MLAs live, shows the failure of the BJP government. “This is a big example of gross negligence.

“The government must answer. A high-level investigation should be conducted into this matter. My deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims,” said Mr. Rai.

(With inpurts from PTI)