Mon Jan 20 05:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Massive Fire Engulfs Kumbh Mela Camp; No Casualties Reported
**Prayagraj, India** – A massive fire broke out at the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Sunday, engulfing approximately 250 tents belonging to the Akhil Bharatiya Dharma Sangh Gita Press Gorakhpur camp in Sector-19. While no injuries were reported, the blaze resulted in significant property damage, destroying tents and their contents.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though Gita Press trustee Krishna Kumar Khemkar claims an object containing fire was thrown from outside the camp, igniting the blaze. He stated that despite precautions and a ban on fire within the camp, the fire spread rapidly. Initial reports suggested the fire started with a gas cylinder explosion, followed by several more as the fire intensified. However, this has not been confirmed.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing high flames spreading across a large area. Firefighters and NDRF teams responded, ultimately bringing the fire under control after significant effort. Mr. Khemkar estimates the loss to be in the crores of rupees. NDRF DIG MK Sharma confirmed the involvement of multiple teams in extinguishing the fire. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire is ongoing.
First Piper 