Fire Breaks Out at Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj; Quick Response Prevents Casualties
A fire erupted at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Sunday, caused by a cylinder blast. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. The Uttar Pradesh Fire Department, led by Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma, quickly responded by deploying fire tenders to the scene.
The fire began when two cylinders exploded in Sector 19 of the Maha Kumbh Mela, resulting in a large blaze spreading across several camps. The local police and fire teams worked diligently to control the flames. Bhaskar Mishra, the in-charge of Akhara Police Station, confirmed the incident and stated that firefighters were actively attempting to extinguish the fire.
The official Twitter handle of Maha Kumbh 2025 expressed their shock over the incident, assuring the public that the administration was taking immediate action to provide relief and conduct rescue operations. A video shared by the account depicted thick black smoke rising from the affected area. In response, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the site to assess the situation and coordinate the ongoing efforts. For a short period, the power supply to the area was temporarily cut off. However, the fire brigade teams, which arrived within 15 minutes of the incident, quickly brought the situation under control.
While the blaze spread rapidly due to the wooden tents, causing further damage, officials confirmed that no injuries had occurred. In addition to the fire teams, medical teams were also deployed to attend to any potential casualties, though fortunately, none were reported. The incident occurred around 4 p.m., with multiple cylinder blasts contributing to the escalation of the fire.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which has seen an overwhelming turnout of over seven crore devotees, including Kalpavasis and holy seers, has been a major event in Prayagraj. The Uttar Pradesh government anticipates that more than 45 crore people will attend the gathering this year. With such a massive influx of people, ensuring the safety and security of the crowd has been a significant challenge for the Maha Kumbh Police. To assist with this, the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) in the fairground area has proven instrumental in managing the crowd and providing surveillance to maintain order.
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On January 15, the first Amrit Snan, or Shahi Snan, took place at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. Devotees and sadhus gathered in large numbers to take a holy dip in the waters of the Sangam as part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations, marking a significant spiritual moment during the event.
Despite the fire, the efforts of the local authorities and emergency teams ensured the situation was handled promptly, and the Mela continues to attract millions of devotees in a peaceful and orderly manner.
