Fire Kills 14 Students in Lucknow in India

A devastating fire at a building housing a library and a student coaching centre in Lucknow, northern India, has killed at least 14 people, officials said on Monday.

The blaze reportedly started on the middle floor of the three-storey commercial building in a residential area and rapidly spread to other parts of the building.

Authorities said 14 children from “happy families” died in the incident, while four others sustained injuries. It was not immediately confirmed whether all the victims were students.

Firefighters try to douse a fire that broke out at a coaching institute in Lucknow on June 22, 2026. Photo by – / AFP

Witnesses reported that several students jumped from upper floors in a desperate attempt to escape the flames as fire crews battled to bring the situation under control.

Television footage showed intense flames engulfing the building’s front side while firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. The facility reportedly contained a coaching centre for college students, a library, and a computer graphics section.

Indian authorities said investigations are ongoing, with officials promising strict action against those found responsible for any safety lapses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced compensation for affected families.

Building fires remain a recurring problem in India, often linked to poor electrical wiring, inadequate safety standards, and weak enforcement of regulations, with several similar deadly incidents recorded in recent years.

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