Mon Jan 20 16:42:09 UTC 2025: ## Mahakumbh Fire Claims Debunked: Firefighters, Not Buckets, Controlled Blazes
**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh –** Social media posts claiming a lack of fire safety measures at the Mahakumbh festival in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, following two recent fires, have been proven false. While two separate incidents resulted in tent fires – one caused by exploding LPG cylinders and another during puri preparation – reports and video evidence show a swift and effective response from fire services.
The viral claim, circulating with an image of a man using a bucket to put out flames, alleges inadequate fire control measures, including a lack of fire extinguishers. However, India Today Fact Check has confirmed that numerous news reports and videos depict multiple fire brigade vehicles and personnel actively extinguishing the blazes. The NDTV and AajTak news channels both broadcast footage showing firefighters, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and police working to control the fires. The viral image, itself a screenshot from an IANS video, shows locals assisting alongside professional firefighting efforts.
Despite the large scale of the festival, officials have stated that extensive fire safety measures were in place. Avinash Chandra, the director general of fire services in Uttar Pradesh, confirmed the deployment of 53 fire stations, 20 fire posts, over 1,300 firemen, and more than 300 vehicles specifically for the Mahakumbh. Both incidents were brought under control quickly, with no reported injuries or fatalities. While some locals used buckets to assist, the claim that fire control measures were absent is demonstrably untrue.
First Piper 