- India,
- 22-Jun-2026 09:58 PM IST
A horrific fire incident in the Purania area of Aliganj, Lucknow, has sent shockwaves across the state after 15 children lost their lives. The fire broke out at the Head Hopper 3D Art Studio, a multi-storey commercial building, and quickly escalated into a massive blaze. The fire trapped several students and individuals present in a coaching center operating on the upper floors of the building. The intensity of the fire and the resulting thick smoke made it nearly impossible for those inside to escape, leading to a tragic loss of life. Currently, 5 others are reported to be injured and are undergoing treatment.
The Death Trap: Lack of Emergency Exits
Local residents and family members of the victims have raised serious questions regarding safety measures and administrative negligence. According to eyewitnesses, the building lacked any alternative emergency exit or stairs to descend from the roof. The main staircase, which served as the only point of entry and exit, was the most affected area once the fire started. This effectively blocked the only escape route for the students trapped on the upper floors. As the fire spread, the staircase became a chimney for heat and smoke, making it a path of death rather than an escape route.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
The rescue operation faced significant hurdles from the beginning. To reach the trapped children, the rescue team had no choice but to break through the building's walls. Eyewitnesses reported that in the initial stages, the necessary machinery for breaking walls wasn't available on-site, which severely hampered the rescue efforts. For nearly 2 hours, rescuers struggled to break the walls using hammers and other manual tools. Once a hole was finally made in the wall, the thick, black smoke inside the building presented another major challenge. The smoke was so dense that rescuers couldn't enter the building immediately, causing further delays in reaching the victims.
Desperate Attempts to Survive
During the chaos, many people rushed towards the balconies, windows, and the roof to save their lives. Some brave students attempted to slide down using electricity cables, while others, overcome by panic, tried to hide in bathrooms and small rooms. According to witnesses, many of the victims died not from direct burns but due to asphyxiation caused by the heavy smoke. The rescue team eventually managed to pull out several individuals using wet blankets and stretchers. The injured were immediately rushed to the KGMU Trauma Center for emergency medical care.
Identification of the Deceased
The process of identifying the victims is currently underway, while among those who lost their lives, several have been identified, including:
- Sagar
- Nilesh
- Anamika
- Shyam
- Anucha
- Somalia
- Shahjan
- Rukmani
- Aditya Srivastava
- Abdul Rahman
The identification of other bodies is still in progress. A somber and emotional atmosphere prevails at the post-mortem house as family members continue to arrive to claim their loved ones. A total of 15 deaths have been confirmed so far, while 5 injured individuals remain under medical supervision at KGMU.
