A massive fire broke out in the Gita Press Gorakhpur camp on Sunday evening during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, burning over 100 cottages to ashes. The administration and Gita Press trustee Krishna Khemka have made different claims regarding this accident. The administration has said that the cause of the fire was leakage from a gas cylinder, while Krishna Khemka suspects that the fire came from outside the camp’s boundary.
Gita Press trustee’s claim
In a conversation with the media, Gita Press trustee Krishna Khemka said, “We had built our camp with utmost care. No one was allowed to do any work related to fire. There were about 180 cottages in our camp. The boundary we had built on the west side was declared a circulating area. The administration gave that area to someone, from where some fire item came into our camp, due to which the fire spread.” Khemka questioned the administration’s claim of cylinder explosion and said, “Our kitchen was in a tin shed and was completely safe. Everyone came out safely when the fire broke out, but property worth crores was burnt to ashes. Fortunately, no one lost their life.”
Statement of the administration
The administration said a fire broke out in Sector 19 at around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday. According to a preliminary investigation, a gas cylinder leaked while making tea in the kitchen of the Geeta Press camp, causing the fire. Two small cylinders exploded, causing a loud explosion, and the fire spread rapidly.
In this accident, about 40 thatched huts and six tents of Sanjeev Prayagwal were burnt to ashes. The fire brigade and NDRF teams immediately reached the spot to extinguish the fire, and after tireless efforts, the situation was controlled.
Status of damage caused by fire
All the belongings of the Kalpvasis living in the camp were burnt in the fire. In the accident, a female devotee was partially burnt, and in the chaos, a person fell and got injured and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
On Sunday, the Maha Kumbh was crowded with bathers, so the fire brigade vehicles had difficulty reaching the spot. Despite this, relief work was done rapidly, and the fire was soon controlled.
Investigation of the case continues.
Officials say the damage caused by the fire is being assessed. Only after a detailed investigation will it be clear whether the fire broke out accidentally or for some other reason. Relief work is underway, and the administration ensures no further untoward incident occurs in the Maha Kumbh.
Thankfully, no lives were lost in this terrible fire, but property worth crores was damaged. The administration is taking extra precautions regarding the safety of the devotees.