The blaze, which engulfed straw huts and caused LPG cylinders to explode, was brought under control within 1.5 hours
A fire broke out on Sunday at the Gita Press camp in Sector 19 of Mahakumbh Nagar, triggering swift action from authorities to prevent further damage. While a magisterial inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause, officials have issued a fire safety advisory to prevent similar incidents in the 4,000-hectare tent city.
The blaze, which engulfed straw huts and caused LPG cylinders to explode, was brought under control within 1.5 hours. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The Uttar Pradesh Fire Services Department credited the quick response of firefighters, who arrived within two minutes of being alerted.
Inquiry Immediate Action
Mahakumbh District Magistrate Vijay Kiran Anand confirmed the formation of a team led by the additional district magistrate (administration) and a sector magistrate to investigate the incident. He assured that further action would follow the inquiry report.
Avinash Chandra, Director General of Uttar Pradesh Fire Services, visited the site and emphasised the importance of fire prevention awareness in the camps and akhadas. He instructed officials to enforce safety measures, including a ban on operating kitchens in tents and huts, to ensure the safety of devotees.
Insights From Incident
Preliminary investigations revealed that a spark from a nearby Kalpvasi camp ignited the straw huts, leading to the fire. Krishna Kumar Khemka, trustee of Gita Press and the camp’s organiser, ruled out any conspiracy, stating that the fire was accidental.
“CM Yogi Adityanath visited the camp to assess the situation. We are now clearing the debris and working to rebuild the huts. Thankfully, the religious texts, including copies of the Bhagavad Gita, were stored on the other side of the camp and remained unharmed,” Khemka said.
State Government’s Response
A communiqué from the state government highlighted the role of fire safety preparations in averting a major disaster. Pramod Sharma, the nodal chief fire officer for the Mahakumbh Mela, said, “The fire, caused by an LPG cylinder during cooking, was swiftly controlled due to the prompt response of the fire brigade.”
The rescue operation, led by Deputy Director Fire Aman Sharma and Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma, involved 45 fire brigade vehicles. Extensive fire safety infrastructure, including 50 fire stations, 20 fire posts, and 4,300 hydrants, supported the response. Over 2,000 trained personnel and 351 fire-fighting vehicles have been stationed across the Mela to ensure safety.
New Fire Safety Advisory Issued
In light of the incident, Deputy Inspector General (Mela) Vaibhav Krishna issued a detailed fire safety advisory for all camps. The advisory stressed the importance of immediate reporting of emergencies to the Mela control room or fire stations via designated helplines such as 112, 1920, or 1090.
The advisory outlined several safety measures:
Preventive Actions: Devotees were urged to familiarise themselves with nearby exit routes, keep water and sand handy, and avoid storing flammable materials like petrol or kerosene in tents.
Emergency Response: In the event of a fire, the advisory suggested raising an alarm, alerting others, and using fire-fighting equipment from a safe distance. Gas cylinder fires should be addressed by keeping the cylinder upright and attempting to extinguish the flames with a wet cloth or fire extinguisher.
Prohibited Practices: The use of non-standard or leaking gas cylinders, plastic or synthetic fabrics for tents, and open flames like stoves or havan kunds inside tents has been strictly prohibited.
Officials have stressed the importance of quick evacuation of children and advised cutting tent ropes to prevent the fire from spreading. The advisory also urged against cooking outdoors during strong winds and warned against adding oil to burning lamps or stoves.
Preparedness For Crores Of Devotees
With crores of devotees taking a holy dip and lakhs of Kalpvasis staying at the Mahakumbh, officials are prioritising fire safety to ensure a secure environment. The extensive fire safety infrastructure, coupled with the newly issued advisory, aims to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Mahakumbh remains a logistical and safety challenge for authorities, but prompt responses and proactive measures continue to safeguard the millions of pilgrims attending this historic event.