Firefighters try to douse fire in makeshift tents during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 19, 2025.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Lucknow: A massive fire broke out at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela on the banks of river Ganga in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday, engulfing several tents in the area. There was no report of any casualty in the incident.
The fire, which broke out at the Gita Press camp in Sector 19 in the Maha Kumbh area, was brought under control after several fire tenders were rushed there and the area was sealed off completely.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Prayagraj to review the preparations ahead of Mauni Amawasya, also reached the spot and directed authorities to take steps to avoid any such incident in future, officials said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Adityanath over phone to enquire about the incident.
‘’A fire broke out at Gita Press around 1630 hours on Sunday... some nearby tents were also gutted in the fire.. it has been extinguished.. there is no report of any casualty,’’ a senior official said.
According to sources, the fire was caused by a cylinder blast while cooking at the camp and soon it spread to the nearby tents owing to the strong winds.
The official X handle of Maha Kumbh 2025 posted, "Very sad! The fire incident at #MahaKumbh has shocked everyone. The administration is ensuring immediate relief and rescue operations. We pray Maa Ganga for everyone's safety."
Visuals on social media showed the flames leaping out and smoke billowing from the tents close to the Shastri Bridge which connected Prayargaj with Jhusi. A video, made by a train passenger from the bridge, also showed the fire which went viral soon.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was visiting the Mahakumbh on Sunday and had made an aerial survey of the Mela area earlier in the day, was briefed about the incident, sources said.
Reports quoting the eye witnesses said that several blasts, apparently from the gas cylinders, were heard as the fire raged. The officials had alerted the hospitals after the incident.
(With PTI inputs)