The Lucknow coaching centre fire incident claimed 15 lives. Most of the deceased were students who came to learn gaming and animation. At the time of the incident, all students were in class after lunch. Initial investigation has revealed that the building had only one exit route from the outside.
The main gate of the coaching centre was also automatic. It opened and closed through thumb impression. A student said that due to the fire, the thumb impression-based gate got locked, trapping most of the students inside. There was no alternative emergency exit. Within a few minutes of the fire breaking out, the entire building was filled with smoke.
At the time of the incident, around 30 students and staff members were inside. While 8–10 students managed to escape using internet, DTH cables and pipes, 3–4 students jumped down from the second floor. Around 5–6 injured students are still admitted in KGMU.
Two pictures- Above is before the fire in the building and below is after the fire.
The building belongs to the owner of Rameshwaram Engineering College
The building where the fire broke out is constructed on land owned by Virendra Shukla. Virendra Shukla is the owner of Rameshwaram Engineering College. The college is known as Rameshwaram Institute of Technology and Management (RITM), established in 2008.
The college is affiliated with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) and is approved by AICTE. Investigation has revealed that the building map was passed in the name of Dhirendra and Surendra Shukla. Initially it was a residential building, but in 2014 it was approved for commercial use.
An online animation and gaming coaching centre was running in the building. Due to summer vacations, a large number of students had enrolled here. After the incident, the administration has started an investigation into the role of the then officials and engineers. A list of 16 people has been prepared against whom action will be taken.
Biometric system got locked due to fire
An injured student’s friend, Yash, said that there was only one entry-exit point to go up and down. A biometric system was installed there. During the fire, the biometric system stopped working, due to which the children inside could not open the gate in time.
The investigation has revealed that there was only one entry and exit route in the building. There was also only one staircase for movement. There was no alternative emergency exit. Even the door leading to the roof was locked. This is why many students could not escape in time amid smoke and chaos.
Fire broke out due to explosion in AC compressor
Initial investigation suggests that the fire may have started after a blast in the split AC compressor installed in the building. The spark from it spread to nearby items and furniture, causing the fire to engulf the entire building within minutes.
Officials also believe that a short circuit could be a possible reason. However, the exact cause will be known only after the forensic and technical investigation reports are received. At present, agencies are examining all possible causes.
People carried the burnt youth to the vehicle, then he was taken to the hospital.
Children tried to save themselves by locking themselves in the bathroom
After the fire broke out, smoke first spread on the lower floors and then rapidly moved upwards. People on the upper floors panicked due to the sudden incident. Many tried to rush outside. Some locked themselves in rooms and bathrooms. There was chaos and screaming inside.
Picture before the fire. (File Photo)
Condition worsened due to suffocation
According to fire officials, after the fire broke out, thick smoke filled the building quickly. Due to this, students and others inside could not find their way out. Some students hid in bathrooms while others moved into store rooms to save themselves. However, due to dense smoke and heat, many became unconscious. When the rescue team entered, several people were found unconscious.
Fire officials said that the staircase leading to the roof was locked, preventing students from reaching a safe exit. To escape the smoke, they kept trying to hide in different parts of the building.
When the fire spread, people around were heard shouting save them, save them.
Students descending from the coaching center with the help of ropes.
First fire brigade vehicle reached 8 minutes after receiving information
According to the fire department, the information about the fire was received at the control room at 2:27 pm. The first fire brigade vehicle reached the spot within just 8 minutes, followed by additional fire tenders, hydraulic platforms, and SDRF and NDRF teams for rescue operations.
SDRF and NDRF teams retrieved bodies from the building.
Rescue teams entered by breaking the rear wall
Considering the severity of the fire, fire services, SDRF, and NDRF teams broke the rear wall of the building to enter inside. After that, rescue operations were carried out amid smoke and debris.
According to officials, an attempt was made to enter by breaking a nearly 9-inch thick rear wall of the building. However, due to its strength, it took time to break, delaying access to unconscious students and others.
Preliminary information suggests that plastic and aluminium sheet partitions and interior work were used in the office. This caused the fire to spread rapidly.
A pet shop located on the ground floor had pedigree, packaging material, and other plastic products, which further accelerated the fire.
According to rescue personnel, three types of chemicals used for pet treatment and care were also stored in the pet shop and clinic. After the fire, the smoke became highly toxic, affecting students on the upper floors first. Many became unconscious due to suffocation and toxic fumes within minutes.
Firefighters broke through the building’s wall from the adjacent house and entered inside.
15 cats were also inside, survived amidst the smoke
Firefighters said that around 15 cats were present on the premises. Despite being exposed to smoke for a long time, they survived due to their biological resilience, whereas humans were affected much faster by the toxic fumes. A police officer rescued a cat from the fire and carried it out in his arms.
A police officer rescued the cat from the fire. He took it in his arms and came out of the building.
Why did the fire spread so rapidly?
- Initial reports suggest that plastic and aluminium sheet partitions were used in the office interior, which intensified the fire.
- The pet shop on the lower floor stored Pedigree, packaging materials, and other plastic goods, which acted as fuel for the fire and caused it to spread rapidly.
- Pet-related treatment chemicals stored in the clinic produced highly toxic smoke after the fire broke out. This affected the students on the upper floors first, and many became unconscious due to suffocation and toxic gases.
