A major fire broke out at the Gita Press camp in Mahakumbh Mela, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. The blaze, caused by a gas cylinder explosion, destroyed over 40 straw huts and six tents. It started in the kitchen area of the camp in Sector 19 at 4:10 pm when a small gas cylinder began leaking during tea preparation. This led to the explosion of two other cylinders nearby, as per an official statement.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the fire department rushed to the site. They managed to control and extinguish the fire by 5 pm. Drone footage revealed black smoke engulfing the area, and fire tenders were visible in action. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, who was in the city to review preparations for Mauni Amavasya, visited the scene and directed officials to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
One individual, Jaspreet, fainted while fleeing the fire and injured his leg. He received first aid at the Mahakumbh Mela hospital and was later moved to Swarupani Medical College in Prayagraj. Officials confirmed he is out of danger. The fire also destroyed essential items, including cots, blankets, and chairs. The thatched roofs of the affected tents caught fire, while the remaining structures were left intact, according to Additional DGP Bhanu Bhaskar.
In response to the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government released a fire safety advisory for all Mahakumbh camps. It urged people to report fires immediately to the Mela control room, local police, or fire stations using helpline numbers 112, 1920, or 1090. The advisory emphasized staying calm during emergencies and using nearby fire-fighting equipment safely to extinguish flames. Devotees were also advised to know the nearest exit routes and fire safety measures and avoid storing flammable items like petrol, diesel, or candles inside tents.
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Despite the incident, millions of devotees are flocking to the Mahakumbh Mela, taking holy dips at the Triveni Sangam. The grand religious event continues, with efforts being made to ensure the safety of all attendees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to inquire about the incident and the measures being taken to prevent future occurrences.
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