LUCKNOW — Panic and chaos gripped the Aliganj area of Lucknow on Monday afternoon, June 22, 2026 after a massive fire tore through a three-storey commercial complex housing a densely packed coaching institute and student library. The sudden outbreak triggered a frantic rescue operation as thick smoke trapped dozens of students inside.

The incident occurred around 3:00 PM at a building located on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj's Purania area.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing columns of thick, black smoke billowing from the complex, which houses a computer training institute, a library, and multiple tuition setups. As the smoke filled the narrow corridors, a scene of absolute terror unfolded.

While many young students managed to scramble out of the building safely in the initial moments, others found themselves entirely cut off by the advancing flames and heavy smoke. In a state of intense panic, several desperate students chose to jump from the upper floors of the building to escape the suffocating conditions. At least one young man was reported to have sustained severe injuries from the fall.

Local residents and passersby immediately rushed toward the building, braving the heat to help evacuate trapped individuals. "When we reached the spot, we saw thick smoke coming from the building," said Aman, a local eyewitness. "We managed to pull out five to six people immediately before the emergency teams arrived."

The Lucknow fire department deployed 14 fire tenders, including a hydraulic platform vehicle, to battle the massive blaze and launch a coordinated search-and-rescue mission.

To gain swift access to the smoke-logged interior, firefighting personnel broke through a structural wall on the first floor using stretchers and specialized equipment. Because initial reports suggested that terrified students might have taken shelter in the building's restrooms, rescue teams initiated a painstaking, room-by-room sweep of the entire complex.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate cognizance of the disaster, directing local administrative and medical teams to prioritize the swift evacuation and treatment of the victims. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the disaster site to oversee the operations directly. He confirmed that a fleet of six ambulances and a specialized team of doctors were stationed right outside the complex to provide instant first-aid.

At least six injured individuals, including those who suffered trauma from jumping to safety, have been rushed to the Trauma Centre at King George's Medical University (KGMU) for urgent treatment. While several individuals were brought out on stretchers, authorities have not officially confirmed any fatalities as search operations continue.

An official investigation into the exact cause of the fire is expected to commence as soon as cooling operations are completed, with preliminary local accounts pointing toward a potential electrical spark.