Lucknow fire tragedy: 14 dead; Students jumped from building as blaze swept through animation centre

A devastating fire at an animation training centre in Lucknow claimed multiple lives on Monday, with Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak saying he had "seen 14 bodies with my own eyes" while reviewing rescue operations at the site. Eyewitnesses also reported that several students jumped from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames and thick smoke.

The blaze broke out at a commercial building on Usha Mehta Marg in Aliganj, triggering a massive rescue operation involving firefighters, police personnel and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. As emergency responders searched the smoke-filled structure, witnesses described chaotic scenes, with students scrambling for safety and some reportedly leaping from the building.

Pathak, who visited the site, said 13 students had been rescued and shifted to hospital. He noted that dense smoke inside the building and a large amount of wooden furniture had complicated rescue efforts. Fire brigade personnel and NDRF teams continued room-by-room searches to ensure no one remained trapped.

"I have seen 14 bodies with my own eyes," the Deputy Chief Minister said while speaking to reporters at the scene, even as authorities continued rescue and recovery operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi later expressed anguish over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The families of those who died will receive ₹2 lakh each, while the injured will be given ₹50,000.

One local resident said several students jumped from the structure to save themselves, while others managed to escape before rescue teams arrived. Another witness recalled seeing thick plumes of smoke rising from the building as people scrambled to safety.

Further details regarding the casualties and the circumstances leading to the fire are awaited as investigation and recovery efforts continue.