New Delhi: There have been many instances of fire in schools, colleges, universities, and coaching centers that took place between the years 2024 and 2026 within the North Indian region, highlighting problems related to emergency preparation, maintenance of infrastructure, and safety against fires in educational institutions. Even though some cases ended with people being evacuated without any harm, others resulted in loss of property and even death.
Major Fire Incidents in Educational Institutions
Fire at Lucknow Coaching Center (June 2026)
A commercial building which had a coaching center operating from it caught fire in Aliganj, Lucknow in one of the most horrific fires. At least 14-15 people lost their lives, most of them being students while there were some injuries as well. There was dense smoke all over the building and students were seen escaping the building via the windows. A study about the safety procedures at the coaching centers across the state was undertaken following the incident.
June 2026, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi
Quick actions of the Delhi Fire Brigade controlled a fire at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), in Delhi. There were no deaths because the fire was contained before it could cause any casualties. It later became clear that unlike earlier claims, the incident had taken place at the SPA premises and not at the office of the Ministry of Education.
A fire broke out in a Delhi coaching institute in May 2025.
There have been news of two separate cases of fires at institutes in Preet Vihar and Old Rajendra Nagar areas in Delhi. While both incidents brought forth several problems of electrical wiring, fire exits, and emergency preparedness of the high density coaching centers, it was lucky that evacuation took place without any loss of life.
May 2025, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Delhi
A big fire destroyed over 3,000 books and affected academic activities due to damage caused to the library building of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, affiliated to University of Delhi. It is reported that a short circuit in the server system of the library caused the fire. No injuries were reported.
Fire at Delhi Government School (April 2024)
Parents and students were scared as a fire broke out at a government school in Nihal Vihar, West Delhi. The school authorities immediately evacuated the students to avoid any casualties. Preliminary investigations revealed that a short circuit in the temporary storehouse was the cause.
Fire at Haryana Gurugram School (April 2024)
A school located in Sector 37, Gurugram, was on fire due to an electrical short circuit. There were no fatalities reported, although the fire caused damage to the school properties such as uniforms and electronics. Immediate response of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to classrooms.
From January 2023 to May 2025, there were 130 fire accidents recorded at educational institutes in Delhi, based on the data provided by Delhi Fire Services. It is an indication that educational campuses are vulnerable to the risk of fire dangers. Some of the key causes of fires include electrical faults, faulty wiring, lack of maintenance, and neglecting fire safety norms.
Experts Call for Stronger Safety Measures
Fire safety experts suggest that:
• Fire audits should be conducted every year.
• Electrical system should be periodically checked.
• Setup of fire extinguishers and alarms.
• Evacuation drills are conducted each semester.
• Training of employees and students on emergency measures.
• Ensuring unobstructed stairwells and emergency exits.
The recent fire accidents in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and other northern states in India remind us that performance needs to take precedence over safety in educational institutions. Experts believe that strict fire safety measures along with compliance of all safety norms are necessary to avoid any future loss of life as the number of children in schools, colleges, and coaching centers increases.
