A fire broke out at an ISKCON camp in Maha Kumbh Nagar, Prayagraj, on Friday, causing significant damage to several nearby camps. Firefighters responded swiftly to the incident at Sector 18, Shankaracharya Marg of Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra, and successfully brought the blaze under control.
Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma told PTI, “Upon receiving information about the fire at the ISKCON camp in Sector 18, fire tenders were immediately dispatched. The fire has been fully contained.” Thick clouds of smoke engulfed the fair area, triggering panic among nearby akhadas (monastic orders).
Fire Spread and Response
According to reports, the fire spread to over a dozen nearby camps, causing extensive damage. However, no casualties have been reported. Inspector Yogesh Chaturvedi of Khak Chowk police station stated, “A fire broke out at a camp near Tulsi Chauraha on Old GT Road. However, firefighters have managed to bring the blaze largely under control.” Fire department officials and police officers are present at the site to assess the damage and determine the cause of the fire.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Maha Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, confirmed that the fire had been “completely controlled” by the fire brigade. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he reassured the public that no injuries had been reported.
Repeated Fire Incidents at Maha Kumbh Mela
This marks the third fire incident reported in the Kumbh Mela area. A similar fire broke out last month due to a cylinder blast in Sector 19, injuring one person and destroying 18 tents. In that incident, 15 fire tenders were deployed to control the flames within an hour.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was in Prayagraj reviewing preparations ahead of Mauni Amavasya, visited the site of the previous fire and directed authorities to implement stricter safety measures.
Precautionary Measures and Investigation
Following the latest fire, officials have cordoned off the affected area to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Eyewitnesses captured videos of the flames and thick smoke rising over the fairgrounds. Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the fire and assessing the total damage.
With millions of devotees expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela in the coming weeks, officials are working to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of attendees.
Sources By Agencies
