Cylinder blasts trigger fire at Mahakumbh

New Delhi: A massive fire broke out at the sector 19 area of Mahakumbh Nagar on Sunday due to cylinder blasts, engulfing about 18 tents. No casualty was reported in the incident.

According to chief fire officer Pramod Sharma, 15 fire tenders were pressed into service to contain the blaze. "Fire has been doused and the situation in the area is under control."

Earlier, Akhara PS in-charge Bhaskar Mishra said two LPG cylinders exploded in sector 19 of Mahakumbh Nagar, causing a big fire in the camps. After receiving information about fire in tents housing the Gita Press at around 4 pm, a team of firefighters, local administration, paramilitary forces and UP Police rushed to the spot.


Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, who was in Prayagraj to review the preparations ahead of Mauni Amawasya, also reached the spot and directed authorities to take steps to avoid any such incident in future, they said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Adityanath over phone to enquire about the incident.

Prayagraj zone additional DGP Bhanu Bhaskar told PTI that the blaze has been extinguished and the situation is under control.

The 45-day Mahakumbh started on Paush Purnima on January 13. More than 7.72 crore people have taken the holy dip, according to official figures available till Saturday. Officials said more than 46.95 lakh devotees took a dip in the Sangam on Sunday.