On the seventh day of the Maha Kumbh Mela, a massive fire broke out due to gas leakage from a small cylinder while cooking food in the camp of Geeta Press in Sector Number 19 at around 4:15 pm on Sunday. The fire took a monstrous form when three cylinders exploded one after the other. More than 100 huts of Kalpvasis were burnt to ashes in this accident. However, the relief was that no one lost their life. After much hard work, the fire department and NDRF team controlled the fire in an hour.
How the accident happened: Fire’s dance
Gita Press’s camp was located on the banks of the Ganges under the Sector Number 19 railway bridge. More than 100 huts were built here for the Kalpvasis. On Sunday evening, a gas cylinder suddenly exploded while cooking food in a hut, igniting a fire that quickly engulfed the entire camp.
Causes of fire:
Use of stove and gas cylinder in huts.
Lack of means to extinguish fire.
Cylinders exploded one after the other.
Delay in the fire brigade and crowd effect
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प्रशासन के अधिकारी पूरी तत्परता के साथ राहत बचाव कार्य में लगे हैं 🙏 https://t.co/LRlKQ2DdDK— Harsha (@Host_harsha) January 19, 2025
Since it was Sunday, a massive crowd at the fair caused fire brigade vehicles to get stuck in traffic. The fire spread rapidly, and the sound of explosions in the cylinders created panic. People saved their lives by taking out cylinders from the huts.
Obstacles in extinguishing the fire and relief work
More than 40fire 40 fire vehicle vehicles and SDRF controlled the fire. The rescue team had to break the tin fence of the huts and go inside to extinguish the fire. Even after the fire was extinguished, smoke kept rising for hours.
PM Modi speaks to UP CM Yogi Adityanath, inquires about Prayagraj fire situation
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/gRUzqds13S#NarendraModi #YogiAdityanath #fire #MahaKumbh pic.twitter.com/6mopXK4Mzt
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) January 19, 2025
Reactions of people:
As soon as the fire broke out, people panicked and ran away, leaving their belongings. Those who had time tried to throw the cylinders out.
Reaction of leaders and officials
When he learned about the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath arrived and instructed the officials to make quick relief and strong security arrangements.
What can be learned?
This accident is an excellent lesson on how dangerous using gas cylinders in huts can be.
Further recommendations:
Special arrangements for fire safety in huts.
Availability of fire fighting equipment.
Awareness campaign for safe use of cylinders.
Strong security arrangements are critical for huge events like the Maha Kumbh Mela. This incident shows the loss of crores and how slight negligence can become an enormous tragedy.