Blaze at Maha Kumbh: fire breaks out in Prayagraj's sector 18
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A fire broke out at a camp in Maha Kumbh Nagar, located in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Friday officials told news agency PTI. The incident took place in Sector 18, Shankaracharya Marg, within the Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra. Fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the spot to contain the fire and thick clouds of smoke enveloped the area causing panic among nearby akhadas. Fortunately no casualties have been reported. Inspector Yogesh Chaturvedi from Khak Chowk police station confirmed that the fire broke out near Tulsi Chauraha on Old GT Road. He added that firefighters had managed to bring the blaze largely under control and the fire department officials were on-site to oversee the operation.
A similar incident had occurred just last month when a fire broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela due to a cylinder blast. The incident injured one person and engulfed 18 tents in Sector 19. Fire officials reported that 15 fire tenders were deployed to contain the flames and the fire was brought under control within an hour. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Prayagraj to review preparations for Mauni Amavasya, visited the site of the fire and instructed authorities to take preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future. While running from the scene a person named Jaspreet fainted and injured his leg. He was rushed to the Maha Kumbh Mela hospital for first aid and later shifted to Swaruprani Medical College in Prayagraj. Thankfully his condition was reported to be stable. The affected area was cordoned off for safety, and onlookers captured footage of the flames and smoke on their mobile phones. Chief fire officer Pramod Sharma confirmed that 15 fire tenders were used to bring the fire under control which had spread across 18 tents. According to Akhada Police Station In-charge Bhaskar Mishra two LPG cylinders had exploded in Sector 19 sparking the fire.
This incident, while alarming was swiftly handled and with prompt action taken the situation was brought under control, ensuring no major casualties. It serves as a reminder of the importance of safety protocols in large gatherings like the Maha Kumbh.
