Cylinder Blast, 10 Tents Gutted: All We Know About Maha Kumbh Mela Fire – News18

Last Updated:January 19, 2025, 18:20 IST

Mahakumbh Mela Fire: The fire initially erupted at 4:30 pm in sector 19 in the tent of Gita Press and spread to nearby 10 tents.

Mahakumbh Mela Fire: A massive fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj following the blast of two gas cylinders in the Sector 19 campsite area, said officials.

Several fire tenders reached the site immediately as they were already kept ready in the parking zone as part of the Uttar Pradesh government’s safety arrangements for the Maha Kumbh Mela.

“We received information about a cylinder explosion. People were evacuated and the fire was extinguished. There are no reports of any casualties. We have been told that 2 cylinders have exploded, but the investigation is being done,” said ADG Bhanu Bhaskar.

District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said that the fire initially erupted at 4:30 pm in sector 19 in the tent of Gita Press and spread to nearby 10 tents. “The police and administration team reached the spot. The fire has been extinguished. There is no information on any casualty. The situation is under control,” he added.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak informed that a team of officials from the government and the health department are present at the site to extend assistance to saints and devotees at Maha Kumbh. “The government is also keeping a close watch on the entire incident. The situation is completely under control,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.

PM Modi Dials CM Yogi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after the fire incident at Maha Kumbh Mela and sought information about the ground situation.

Earlier, CM Yogi reached the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and took cognisance of the fire incident. He also inspected the firefighting operation. Senior officials were deployed to the site on his instructions, according to the CMO.

The grand Maha Kumbh 2025 commenced on January 13, aligning with the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima. To date, over 7.72 crore devotees have participated in this sacred Hindu festival by taking a holy dip in the waters. On Sunday alone, more than 46.95 lakh devotees performed the snan (holy dip), according to official reports.

Location :

Uttar Pradesh, India