Lucknow: In a horrific incident in the capital of India’s Uttar Pradesh state, several students jumped from the first floor of a prominent coaching centre in a desperate bid to escape a massive fire.
According to Indian media, the tragic incident took place in the Aliganj area of Lucknow, where a sudden fire broke out at a coaching centre located on the upper floor of a building.
Within moments, the fire engulfed the entire floor and the building filled with thick smoke, leaving trapped students struggling to breathe and causing many to lose consciousness.
Fire brigade teams managed to bring the blaze under control after an hour of intense efforts; however, the coaching centre was completely reduced to ashes.
During the rescue operations, 14 charred bodies were recovered from the debris, while more than a dozen injured individuals were shifted to various hospitals.
Eyewitnesses reported that the affected building was a three-story structure, and the fire started on the top floor before rapidly spreading.
During the rescue operation, several window panes were smashed to pull the students out. Local residents acting on their own safely rescued 6 to 10 people, but many remained trapped inside and could not be reached due to the dense smoke.
One individual, overcome by panic, jumped from the building and sustained severe injuries.
According to preliminary reports, the building housed a pet shop and other commercial businesses in addition to the coaching centre.
Officials are currently investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire.
It is worth noting that just yesterday, six priests were killed and several others injured when the roof of the Yashwaswi temple collapsed in the Parbhani district of Maharashtra state.
State Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the accident occurred due to the collapse of an under-construction section of the temple’s roof.
However, according to a report by the prominent Indian newspaper The Hindu, the priests had gathered at the site for weekly prayers and the distribution of Prasadam (religious offering).
Following the accident, rescue teams carried out relief operations for nearly two and a half hours. Meanwhile, an investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
