A major fire at an animation training center in northern India has left 15 people dead.

According to major foreign media outlets, the fire broke out on June 22 (local time) at an animation training center building in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in northern India.

Indian police stated that 15 people inside the building were killed and two others were seriously injured in the blaze.

Most of the casualties were reportedly students receiving training in animation production.

Witnesses reported that several students jumped from the building to escape the flames.

Videos shared on social media also captured people emerging through broken windows.

One man was seen falling while attempting to escape; local Indian media reported that he survived and was transported to a hospital.

The fire is believed to have started on the second floor of the three-story building before spreading to other levels.

Mohammad Asin, an employee at the animation center, said, "At first, I thought it was a small fire," adding, "When I tried to evacuate, the hallway was already filled with smoke."

An official from Uttar Pradesh stated, "We will take strict action against those responsible (regarding this fire)."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "deep sorrow over the loss of lives" and announced that $2,100 (approximately 3.2 million KRW) would be provided as financial support to each of the bereaved families.

The Indian media outlet India Today reported that preliminary investigations found the building had been consuming electricity far exceeding approved standards.

In India, major building fires occur frequently due to a lack of firefighting equipment and practices that ignore safety regulations.

Electrical factors, such as short circuits, account for a significant portion of all fires in India.

On June 3, a fire also broke out at a restaurant in the basement of a hotel in the Malviya Nagar area of southern New Delhi, leaving 21 people dead.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)