Lucknow (Lord Media): A devastating fire in a three-story coaching center in Lucknow’s Aliganj area claimed the lives of 15 students. Initial reports suggest that the victims died due to suffocation, exacerbated by limited exits and narrow entry and exit points.
The incident occurred on Monday when the coaching center, which had only one entrance and exit, was cluttered with air conditioner panels and electrical wires. The fire reportedly began at a pet shop on the ground floor and quickly spread to the upper levels.
Rescue teams employed hydraulic cutters and drills to gain entry into the building. They created a passage by breaking the wall of an adjacent building and used exhaust fans to reduce smoke levels.
Local authorities and residents have raised concerns about the presence of such commercial buildings in residential areas. Officials from the Lucknow Development Authority are facing criticism following the incident.
Due to the fire, several students sought refuge in bathrooms, while others attempted to escape through windows. One student jumped from the upper floor, sustaining severe injuries.
