Lucknow fire tragedy triggers safety inspections across UP

Meerut: The fire at a coaching institute in Lucknow’s Aliganj that claimed 15 lives has prompted district administrations across UP to launch large-scale safety inspections of educational institutions and commercial establishments.In Hapur, authorities sealed four libraries and a coaching institute operating without mandatory fire department no-objection certificates (NOCs). In Bareilly, a hotel was sealed for safety violations, while officials in Moradabad found that only 11 of the 25 coaching centres inspected had valid fire safety clearances.In Meerut, administrative and fire department officials launched a joint enforcement drive on Tuesday.

Led by chief fire officer Surendra Singh, inspection teams visited prominent coaching hubs, including Vidyapeeth and Aakash in Mangal Pandey Nagar. Officials examined firefighting equipment, assessed emergency exit routes and warned operators found flouting safety norms.“We visited several institutions and directed those lacking adequate safety measures to comply with prescribed protocols. The inspection drive will continue in the coming days to ensure all establishments meet safety requirements,” said SP city (Meerut) Vinayak Bhonsle.

Inspectors also interacted with students, educating them about emergency evacuation procedures and fire-safety practices. Authorities warned that strict action would be taken against institutions found endangering students through structural deficiencies or safety lapses.In Bulandshahr, notices were issued to several coaching centres during a similar inspection drive. DSP Prakhar Pandey said, “We conducted a detailed assessment of safety arrangements and informed students about the dos and don’ts to be followed in the event of a fire. The findings will be submitted to the concerned department.”