Massive fire breaks out at coaching centre in India, at least 13

A massive fire broke out at a coaching centre in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India. At least 13 people were killed. Many people were trapped inside the building after the fire broke out. Some students jumped from the second floor to save their lives. The fire was later brought under control after an hour of effort.

According to NDTV, the building burned for more than an hour after a sudden fire broke out on Monday (June 22). Later, when firefighters brought the fire under control, at least 13 bodies were recovered.

The building, located in a commercial area, houses a coaching centre as well as several other shops, including a pet shop. Witnesses said that several people jumped down from the coaching centre on the second floor of the building after the fire broke out. In a video circulating on social media, a person can be seen falling down while trying to save his life.

In the video, the person is seen trying to get out through a broken window of the building. He tried to hang on to the cornice, but could not hold on and fell first onto a fence and then onto the ground. Later, some people rescued him and took him to a safe place. He was injured and is currently undergoing treatment.

On receiving information, police and fire brigade personnel reached the spot and brought the fire under control. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the spot to supervise the rescue operation.

An eyewitness said, “It is a three-storey building. The fire started on the upper floor and spread quickly. Some windows were broken as part of the rescue operation.”

People at the scene told NDTV that several people, including students, were trapped inside the building. However, there was no official information about the exact number of people trapped.

Another eyewitness said, “Five to seven students jumped. One of them also broke his bone.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident. He has contacted the affected families and directed officials to provide them all possible assistance.