At least 15 children died and five others injured on Monday afternoon after a devastating fire engulfed a three storied commercial building, in which a coaching center was being run in Purnia area of Aliganj in Lucknow.
The Medical Superintendent of KGMU Trauma Center, Lucknow Dr. Anil Aggarwal said, “At least 15 children were brought dead to the hospital after the incident and 7 to 8 others injured were also admitted here; two children with multiple injuries, who jumped from the building in desperation to save themselves are also being treated.”
“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.
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”, told PTI.
The Deputy CM said , “ The fire had broken out at a coaching centre in the building and efforts were being made to rescue all students safely, trapped in the building.”
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 families”.
He has also announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 each to those injured in the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the families of the each deceased.
In his condolence message, the Prime Minister said, “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? 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”.
( with inputs from PTI)
