Last Updated:January 19, 2025, 17:37 IST

Several tenders managed to bring the fire under control at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The police cited two cylinder blasts for the blaze and no casualties have been reported so far.

A massive fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Sunday, as millions of devotees were gathered at the grand religious gathering. Fire tenders are on site and brought the fire under control as visuals from the site showed plumes of smoke emerging.

Police said the blaze took place due to a cylinder blast, adding that there were no casualties so far. “Two cylinders exploded in Sector 19 of the Maha Kumbh Mela, causing a massive fire in the camps. Fire fighters are trying to douse the blaze,” Akhara Police Station In-charge Bhaskar Mishra told news agency PTI.

Prayagraj DM Ravindra Kumar said the fire broke out at 4:30 pm in Sector-19 in the tent of the Gita Press and spread to nearby tents. A survey is being conducted to ascertain the damage caused by the fire, said Maha Kumbh DIG Vaibhav Krishna.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the fire incident and reached the Maha Kumbh on Sunday. Senior officials were deployed to the site on his instructions, according to the CMO. Fire tenders at the spot managed to bring the blaze under control.

Around 20-25 camps have been burned down, according to reports. “The fire has been controlled. All people are safe, and no one has been injured. An investigation will be conducted,” said ADG Bhanu Bhaskar. A State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) team also collaborated with fire officials and police to evacuate people and bring the situation under control, he added.

UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said a team of officials from the government and the health department are present at the site to extend any possible help 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.

“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,” said the Maha Kumbh’s official X handle. It also shared a clip that showed a thick black column of smoke billowing out from the affected area.

The grand Maha Kumbh began on January 13 and will continue until February 26. As of January 18, more than 77.2 million pilgrims have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam during the religious gathering.

Location :

Prayagraj, India