On Sunday afternoon January 19, a large fire broke out in Sector 19 of Prayagraj's Mahakumbh fair region, near the Shastri Bridge. The fire, which began about 4:30 PM, burned 180 cottages at the Geeta Press Camp. According to officials, the fire was started by a cylinder blast while cooking, which caused additional explosions of neighboring cylinders, escalating the situation. Twelve fire departments were dispatched promptly to combat the wildfire, which was brought under control within an hour. While no casualties or injuries were reported, the fire caused extensive property damage. A monk reportedly lost ₹1 lakh in the event.
District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Mandar commented, "The fire has been quenched, and the situation has returned to normal, we are accessing the losses, and an investigation will be conducted “
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited the spot to assess the situation and talk with those impacted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also contacted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to inquire about the tragedy and ensure that all essential safeguards are done.
Bhanu Bhaskar, the Additional Director General (ADG) of Uttar Pradesh Police, confirmed that "several fire tenders were rushed to the scene, and swift action ensured there were no casualties." Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation of the incident." To prevent such incidents, extensive fire safety measures have been implemented across the Mahakumbh area. These include:
Deployment of four Articulating Water Towers (AWT) equipped with video-thermal imaging systems to combat fires in tall tents and multistoried structures. These towers can reach heights of up to 35 meters.
350 fire departments, 50 fire stations, and 20 fire posts, along with 2,000 trained personnel, are stationed throughout the fairgrounds. Install fire protection equipment in tents, akharas, and other vulnerable areas to reduce risks. Authorities have urged visitors and camp organizers to follow strict safety protocols, particularly regarding the handling and storage of gas cylinders and other flammable materials. While the fire has been extinguished, the administration is now focusing on assessing losses and compensating those affected.
Continuous monitoring, regular inspections, and the deployment of new firefighting equipment are intended to improve safety measures during the ongoing Mahakumbh fair, protecting millions of pilgrims and visitors.
