Cylinder blast at tent in Maha Kumbh in India's Prayagraj sparks fire

Prayagraj: A fire broke out after two gas cylinders exploded inside a tent at the Maha Kumbh venue in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, the police said. The fire spread to several tents, burning them to the ground, according to NDTV.

There were no reports of injuries, the police said.

Fire trucks at the venue rushed to the affected area and doused the blaze, officials said.

People living in surrounding tents were evacuated for safety.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sent senior officials to the affected site to check the situation.

“Two cylinders exploded in Sector 19 of the Maha Kumbh Mela, causing a massive fire in the camps. Firefighters doused the blaze,” Akhara police station in-charge Bhaskar Mishra said, news agency PTI reported.

The official X handle of the Maha Kumbh posted, “Very sad. The fire incident at Maha Kumbh has shocked everyone. The administration is ensuring immediate relief and rescue operations. We pray to Maa Ganga for everyone’s safety.”