The blaze ignited from a suspected short circuit, filling the space with suffocating smoke. Students, immersed in lessons or computer sessions, faced a nightmare in the confined alleyway premises with scant exit options. Panic spread as visibility dropped to zero.

Neighborhood residents sprang into action without a second thought. Breaking through barriers, they extracted every child safely. Firefighters, arriving with two vehicles, struggled with the tight 10-foot-wide lane but eventually doused the fire after 60 minutes of effort.

Investigations confirm absence of extinguishers or emergency gear. Officials are appalled by the risky setup in such a vulnerable spot. Locals complain of rampant small-scale coaching institutes ignoring safety, urging authorities for raids and shutdowns of non-compliant centers.

Police probe underway, with cases likely against the proprietor for culpable negligence. This close call serves as a stark reminder: unregulated education spaces in slums pose deadly risks. Comprehensive safety audits are now imperative to safeguard young lives.