February 15, 2025, Prayagraj — On Saturday, a blaze broke out in the Maha Kumbh Mela area in sector 19 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, destroying seven tents. This is the fourth blaze to occur during the festival in the last month.
The Incident
The fire broke out at 6:15 pm in the Luv Kush Seva Mandal camp. Fire brigades and police units were quick to respond, arriving on the scene within five minutes. The blaze was contained quickly, and further spread was prevented. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported.
According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Maha Kumbh, Vaibhav Krishna, the camp that was affected also housed Kalpavasis, pilgrims who stay at the festival for a very long time. The damage was to the tents where blankets and food grains were stored. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Other Incidents
This comes on the tail of other events that have transpired at the Maha Kumbh presently:
On February 7, 2025: A fire outbreak in the ISKCON camp in sector 18 reached nearby tents. Roughly 20-22 tents were charred. There were no casualties, and firefighters contained the scene quite fast.
On January 30, 2025: A fire broke out near Jhunsi Chhatnag Ghat and Nageshwar Ghat in sector 22 that affected tents built without permission. The fire department put it out soon enough, with no loss of life.
On January 19, 2025: A gas cylinder exploded in sector 19, causing a huge fire. The fire brought down more than two dozen tents but did not result in casualties.
Safety Measures and Reactions
Shadowing these periodic disasters, the Maha Kumbh administration has directed that strict safety protocols are to be enforced:
Fire Safety Measures: All tents must be provided with fire extinguishers and the necessary fire-fighting equipment.
Regular Inspections: Regular inspections will be made to check that various safety measures, especially with regard to electrical wiring, and storage/handling of flammable materials are adhered to.
Emergency Response Training: The staff and volunteers are regularly trained after establishing fire emergencies to minimize damage and carry out efficient evacuations when necessary.
Accepts information and this intimation by the Craig Fire Officer/C.E.O. Says, “As soon as we were informed of the spread, immediate action was initiated, and the fire was contained in 30 minutes.”
The Maha Kumbh Mela, starting from January 13, 2025, is a major Hindu pilgrimage with millions of believers from across the globe and is marked as a sacred ritual that congregates devotees to take the holy dip at the meeting point of Ganges, Yamuna, and the imaginary river Saraswati, assumed to be enough to cleanse all sins and mop up a soul from the cycle of birth & rebirth; deadline is marked for the end on February 26, 2025.
More than 1.5 months long will be expected until February 26, 2025. Although recent incidents took place, the multitude continues to gather with adherents arriving for the remaining auspicious bathing dates.
A Message from Authorities
In light of recent fire incidents, the authorities have appealed to the festival-goers and camp organizers to adhere to safety guidelines:
Use of unauthorized equipment: The use of unauthorized gas cylinders and electrical appliances is strictly prohibited.
Awareness campaigns: Informational meetings are organized at present to educate participants about fire occurrences and ways to prevent them.
DIG Vaibhav Krishnaalert: “Our first aim is the safety of all personnel. We request everybody to work in the spirit of cooperation with those guidelines provided and report any dangers immediately upon sight.”
While the past occurrences of fires at the Maha Kumbh Mela raised eyebrows, timely response with efforts from emergency services did minimize damage and casualties. With the festival undeterred and ongoing, a high priority needs to be given in increasing safety, along with a special request for all to comply with the relevant protocols for the safety of everyone.
