No Emergency Exit, Single Staircase: How Safety Lapses Turned Lucknow Coaching Hub Into A Death Trap

Last Updated:June 23, 2026, 01:10 IST

Authorities found that the building had only one staircase that served both as the entry and exit route. There was no dedicated emergency exit and no alternative evacuation route.

As investigators piece together the sequence of events that led to the deaths of 15 students and trainees in a devastating fire at a coaching and animation institute in Lucknow’s Aliganj area, the investigation has now narrowed in on one critical finding: the building allegedly had no emergency exit, no alternative evacuation route and only a single staircase serving as both the entry and exit for hundreds of occupants.

The focus of the probe has shifted from the cause of the blaze to the chain of administrative and safety failures that may have made the loss of life inevitable once the fire broke out.

Also Read: Approved As Residential, Illegally Used As Commercial Space: What Led To Lucknow Fire That Killed 15

What has emerged from the preliminary investigation is a disturbing picture of a building that allegedly offered little chance of survival once the flames spread.

Authorities have found that the structure reportedly had only one staircase that served both as the entry and exit route. There was no dedicated emergency exit, no alternative evacuation route and, according to investigators, an automatic gate system may have further complicated escape efforts when panic-stricken students rushed towards the lone exit.

“The biggest challenge during rescue operations was access. Firefighters had to create alternate openings and break portions of the structure to reach trapped occupants," a senior fire department official said.

For investigators, the key issue is no longer how the fire started but why the building’s occupants had so few options to escape.

From Residential Structure To Commercial Hub

According to officials, the building where the fire broke out was originally approved as a residential structure but had gradually been converted into a commercial hub housing a coaching centre, animation studio, library and other establishments. Investigators are examining how such a transformation took place without ensuring compliance with mandatory fire safety norms.

Also Read: Lucknow Fire Tragedy: 3 Building Owners Arrested, 4 Officials Suspended After Massive Blaze Kills 15

Officials of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) have confirmed that the building was sanctioned for residential use. The revelation has intensified scrutiny of regulatory agencies responsible for monitoring land-use violations and ensuring compliance with safety requirements.

“The probe will examine whether permissions were obtained, whether inspections were conducted and whether any violations were overlooked," an official associated with the investigation said.

15 Killed In Fire Tragedy

The death toll rose to 15 after rescue teams recovered bodies from different parts of the building, including washrooms and enclosed sections where victims had reportedly taken shelter from thick smoke. Most of the deceased were young students and trainees who had come to attend classes and internships.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as students attempted to flee through windows and balconies while thick black smoke engulfed the building. Videos circulating on social media showed several people jumping from upper floors in desperate attempts to save themselves.

UP Govt Constitutes SIT

The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. The SIT is expected to investigate not only the cause of the fire but also the administrative lapses that may have contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who visited both the accident site and the hospital treating survivors, directed officials to identify all those responsible for negligence.

“No guilty person will be spared. Accountability will be fixed at every level," the Chief Minister said while reviewing the situation.

The administration has already initiated action against several officials, while individuals associated with the management of the premises are being questioned. Investigators are reportedly examining records related to building approvals, fire clearances and inspections conducted over the years.

“When residential structures are converted into educational or commercial facilities without corresponding safety upgrades, the risk multiplies. Occupancy increases dramatically but evacuation systems remain unchanged," said a former fire safety consultant familiar with building regulations.

For bereaved families, however, the broader policy debate offers little comfort. Many spent hours outside hospitals and the accident site waiting for information about loved ones who had left home expecting an ordinary day of classes.

Several victims were first-generation learners pursuing professional courses and internships in the hope of securing better employment opportunities. Their deaths have transformed what might have been viewed as an isolated accident into a symbol of larger governance failures.

As the SIT begins its investigation, the key question confronting authorities is not merely what caused the fire, but whether the tragedy was the result of years of ignored warnings and unchecked violations.

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