Lucknow Coaching Centre Fire Kills 15, Students Jump from Building
On June 22, a fire tore through a coaching centre in a commercial building in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, killing at least 15 people and injuring 7 others. Several students jumped from the first floor to escape. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in the basement air conditioning system.
Overview
On Monday afternoon, June 22, a devastating fire broke out at a coaching centre in a three-story commercial building in Aliganj, Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India, killing at least 15 people and injuring 7 others.
Incident
The fire was reported around 3:00 PM at a coaching institute on Usha Mehta Marg. The blaze spread rapidly, trapping students inside. Some students jumped from the first-floor windows to escape the flames.
Casualties
As of the evening of June 22, 15 people had been confirmed dead and 7 injured. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Cause
Officials suspect the fire was caused by a short circuit in the basement air conditioning system, which ignited nearby combustible materials. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate, and four officials have been suspended.