Student’s Last Call to Father Before Deadly Lucknow Fire: “Papa, There’s Fire, Please Save Me”

KUALA LUMPUR, June, 2026 — A devastating fire at a commercial building in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has left families grieving after at least 14 people, most of them students, were killed in a blaze that tore through a building housing education and training facilities.

The tragedy became even more heartbreaking after reports emerged that one of the victims made a final desperate call to his father while trapped inside the burning building. According to NDTV, 23-year-old Sukhmani Singh told his father, “Papa, there’s a fire, please save me,” before his family lost contact with him.

The fire occurred in the Aliganj neighbourhood of Lucknow on Monday, June 22. The building reportedly housed a pet shop and veterinary clinic on the lower floors, while a study centre and animation studio operated above.

Authorities said at least 14 bodies were recovered from the site, while at least 10 people were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. AP reported that the cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Several Indian reports later placed the death toll at 15, with many of the victims described as students or young trainees. Reuters reported that a fire at an animation training centre in Lucknow killed at least 15 people, most of them students.

The blaze spread rapidly through the building, trapping people inside as thick smoke filled rooms and passageways. An employee at the animation studio told AP that workers initially thought the fire was small, but by the time they tried to leave, smoke had filled the building.

Videos circulating on social media showed people trying to escape through broken windows. AP reported that one video appeared to show a man falling from an upper floor while attempting to escape, while local media said he survived and was hospitalised.

Firefighters faced major challenges during the rescue operation because dense smoke blocked access into the building. Emergency crews reportedly had to break through a rear wall and use exhaust fans to clear smoke while searching rooms and washrooms for survivors.

Witnesses told AFP that multiple students jumped from the upper level of the building onto the street below to escape the flames. Indian television showed flames coming out of the front of the building as firefighters struggled to control the fire.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak described the deaths as a major tragedy and said stern action would be taken against those found responsible. He also said several others were injured in the blaze.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial relief for the families of the victims. Dawn, citing AFP, reported that Modi’s office announced more than US$2,100 in relief money for each family.

The fire has raised serious questions about building safety, fire compliance and the operation of coaching centres inside commercial buildings. Building fires are common in India, where safety rules and construction norms are often ignored, AP reported.

Dawn also reported that electrical short circuits, often linked to poorly maintained wiring, remain one of the leading causes of fire incidents in India, although the exact cause of the Lucknow blaze had not yet been confirmed.

Following the tragedy, authorities began taking action against those allegedly linked to the building and its safety compliance. News On AIR reported that the Uttar Pradesh government suspended four state government officials, while police registered a case against six individuals and arrested four accused persons.

NDTV also reported that four people, including building owners, were arrested and four officials were suspended after the fire killed 15 people.

The Lucknow Development Authority also issued a fresh demolition notice for the affected building after the tragedy, according to The Economic Times. The move followed concerns over possible safety violations and code breaches.

The incident has triggered wider safety inspections across Uttar Pradesh. The Times of India reported that district administrations across the state began inspecting educational institutions and commercial establishments after the Aliganj fire.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also ordered a statewide fire safety audit, calling the Aliganj blaze a major lesson for the state.

The tragedy has placed India’s coaching and training centres under renewed scrutiny. Many such facilities operate in crowded commercial buildings where students spend long hours preparing for exams, learning professional skills or attending private classes.

For families, the most painful part of the tragedy is the loss of young lives. Reports from Indian media described victims as students, trainees and young professionals whose futures were cut short in the fire.

The final call made by Sukhmani Singh has become a powerful symbol of the disaster’s human cost. His plea to his father reflected the terror faced by those trapped inside the building as smoke and flames spread.

From a public safety perspective, the incident highlights the need for strict fire exits, functioning alarms, evacuation routes, electrical inspections and clear enforcement of building-use regulations.

The Lucknow fire also shows how quickly a normal day at a study centre can turn into a mass-casualty disaster when fire safety systems fail or emergency exits are blocked.

Authorities are now investigating whether negligence, illegal construction, poor fire safety compliance or electrical faults contributed to the tragedy. Until the investigation is complete, the exact cause remains officially unconfirmed.

the Lucknow fire is one of India’s most serious recent public safety tragedies involving students. It has triggered grief, anger and urgent questions over accountability in buildings used by educational institutions.

The development is suitable for Update News and Tragedy News because it involves a current fatal fire, student deaths, emergency response, arrests, suspended officials and a broader fire safety investigation in India.