Fire breaks out at Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj, one injured; CM Adityanath visits spot

A fire breaks out at the Maha Kumbh Mela

A massive fire broke out on Sunday at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj due to a cylinder blast, engulfing 18 tents, according to the officials. No casualty was reported in the incident, the government said in a statement.

"Two cylinders exploded in Sector 19 of the Maha Kumbh Mela, causing a massive fire in the camps. Firefighters are trying to douse the blaze," Akhara Police Station In-charge Bhaskar Mishra said to news agency PTI.  Visuals from the site showed plumes of smoke emerging. Kumbh Mela Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma said that fire has engulfed 18 tents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday to enquire about a fire incident at the Maha Kumbh Mela site in Prayagraj. Officials said Modi spoke to Adityanath over the phone following the incident.

#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh | A fire breaks out at the #MahaKumbhMela2025. Fire tenders are present at the spot.More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/dtCCLeVIlNANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Prayagraj to review the preparations ahead of Mauni Amavasya, also reached the spot and directed authorities to take steps to avoid any such incident in future, they said.

According to an official statement, fire broke out at 4.10 pm at a kitchen of Gita Press camp, and was doused by 5 pm. "The fire broke out after a small cylinder started leaking while preparing tea. Soon, two other gas cylinders kept there exploded," it said, adding that 40 straw huts and six other tents were gutted.

According to the statement, while running from the spot, one Jaspreet fainted and injured his leg, and was rushed to the Maha Kumbh Mela hospital. After receiving first aid, Jaspreet was shifted to Swaruprani Medical College, Prayagraj, it said. The condition of the injured was stated to be out of danger, it added.

The Maha Kumbh 2025 official X handle 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." It also shared a clip that showed a thick black column of smoke billowing out from the affected area.

The 45-day Maha Kumbh 2025 started on Paush Purnima on January 13. More than 7.72 crore people have taken the holy dip, according to official figures available till Saturday. Officials said that more than 46.95 lakh devotees did the 'snan' (holy dip) on Sunday

*With Agency Inputs