A fire broke out near Chamanganj Chowki outside Sector 22 of the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 30, destroying at least 15 tents. This incident comes just a day after a deadly stampede claimed 30 lives and left over 60 injured. Officials confirmed that there were no casualties in the fire. Chief Fire Officer (Kumbh) Pramod Sharma stated that the fire was reported in the afternoon and was quickly brought under control. However, the lack of proper roads made it difficult for fire engines to reach the affected area. Sharma further noted that the tents were unauthorized, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

The fire follows the tragic stampede on January 29, when millions of pilgrims gathered at the Sangam area to take a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, one of the most significant days of the Maha Kumbh. The massive crowd overwhelmed security measures, leading to a breakdown of barricades and a deadly rush that resulted in several casualties. DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that over 90 injured people were taken to hospitals, with 30 confirmed dead. The incident has raised serious concerns about crowd management and overall safety at the ongoing event. In response, authorities have intensified security measures and traffic restrictions to prevent further mishaps.

This marks the second fire at the Maha Kumbh this month. On January 19, a major fire in Sector 19, reportedly caused by a cooking cylinder explosion, engulfed 20-25 tents. While no injuries were reported in that incident either, it highlighted the urgent need for better fire safety protocols. With the Maha Kumbh continuing until February 26, officials are under increasing pressure to ensure the safety of millions of pilgrims attending the religious gathering.