Thu Feb 27 18:38:02 UTC 2025: **Kumbh Mela Aftermath: Fire Guts Sanitation Colony Tents, One Injured**
Prayagraj, India – A fire broke out in a sanitation colony near the Shastri Bridge in Sector 4 of Mahakumbh Nagar late Thursday night, injuring at least one person. The incident occurred a day after the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival.
Multiple fire tenders arrived on the scene around 11:30 pm, swiftly containing the blaze that engulfed five temporary “chholdari” tents. A 73-year-old man, Bihari Lal, from Prayagraj district, was rescued with burn injuries to his hand and face and taken to a nearby medical facility. While initially in shock, Mr. Lal later recounted how the fire started while he was sleeping in his tent. He stated that he and another tent occupant attempted to escape but he does not know the cause of the fire. Reports suggest another person may also have been injured, though this remains unconfirmed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Chief Fire Officer Pramod Sharma confirmed the incident and described the damaged structures as basic tents within the sanitation colony. Witnesses described seeing burnt articles, tarred steel plates, and sprinkler pipes at the scene. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing Mr. Lal visibly distressed before being taken to the ambulance.
Despite the post-festival crowd thinning, onlookers gathered as fire crews crossed the Nandi Dwar to reach the fire. The Maha Kumbh, which concluded on Wednesday with the final auspicious ‘snan’, drew over 66 crore pilgrims to the Triveni Sangam.
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