PRAYAGRAJ: On the seventh day of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a massive fire broke out in Sector 19, quickly spreading to Sector 20, causing widespread panic among attendees. The fire, which reportedly started during cooking activities in a tent, rapidly engulfed more than 50 camps, including the iconic Geeta Press camp from Gorakhpur. Thick plumes of smoke filled the sky, creating chaos in the crowded area.
The incident, which occurred near the iron bridge on the road beyond the Akhara, led to a series of gas cylinder explosions, with over 20 cylinders reportedly blasting. High winds further exacerbated the fire, increasing the risk of it spreading to other parts of the mela area.
Ravindra Kumar, DM, Prayagraj stated, “The fire broke out at 4.30 pm in sector 19 in the tent of Gita press. The fire spread to the nearby 10 tents. The police and administration team reached the spot. The fire has been extinguished. There is no information of any casualty. The situation is under control…”
Fire at #MahaKumbhMela2025 | Ravindra Kumar, DM, Prayagraj says, "The fire broke out at 4.30 pm in sector 19 in the tent of Gita press. The fire spread to the nearby 10 tents. The police and administration team reached the spot. The fire has been extinguished. There is no… pic.twitter.com/YTx4QjGMF6
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s office has issued a statement stating that the CM has taken cognizance of the fire incident that took place in the #MahaKumbhMela2025, in Prayagraj. Fire tenders are present at the spot and have been brought under control. Senior officers are present on the spot on the instructions of the Chief Minister: CMO.
Emergency services responded promptly, with 12 fire brigade vehicles, four teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and several ambulances rushing to the scene. Senior officials, including Mela Officer Vijay Kiran Anand and SSP Rajesh Dwivedi, arrived at the site to oversee firefighting efforts. SSP Dwivedi later confirmed that the fire at the Geeta Press camp had been brought under control, and no casualties were reported.
Maha Kumbh Mela DIG, Vaibhav Krishna says, “No causality has been reported. We will find out the cause of the fire in the enquiry…Around 15 fire tenders are present at the spot. We are evacuating the people. CM Yogi also reviewed the situation. All the senior officials are present at the spot…”
#WATCH | Fire at #MahaKumbhMela2025 | Prayagraj, UP: Maha Kumbh Mela DIG, Vaibhav Krishna says, "No causality has been reported. We will find out the cause of the fire in the enquiry…Around 15 fire tenders are present at the spot. We are evacuating the people. CM Yogi also… pic.twitter.com/gavPoRWSjk
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2025
Owing to the swift response of the authorities, the situation has bene brought under control and no casulaties have been reported.
The area has been sealed off to ensure public safety, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial survey of the Mahakumbh area, just before the fire broke out.
