Massive Fire Breaks Out at Tent Supply Warehouse in Prayagraj , Property Worth Lakhs Destroyed, Several injured Injured

Prayagraj: A massive fire engulfed a godown belonging to Lallu Ji Tent & Company in the early hours of Saturday, causing extensive damage to property and sparking panic in the surrounding area.

The godown, located near the Parade Ground in the city, is one of the key facilities used for storing tents and materials supplied for large-scale religious events, including the recently concluded Maha Kumbh.

According to initial reports, the blaze broke out during the pre-dawn hours, when several employees were present on-site preparing for the day’s routine work.

The warehouse, which housed a significant stock of tenting equipment, fabrics, decorative items, and related materials, was quickly engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Fire authorities believe the highly flammable nature of the stored items allowed the fire to spread rapidly, intensifying the situation within minutes.

The company, currently owned and operated by Mudit Agarwal, has long been associated with organizing tent infrastructure for major religious gatherings such as Magh Mela, Kumbh Mela, and various other fairs across Prayagraj and different parts of India.

The blaze has dealt a severe blow to the firm’s operations, particularly in the wake of the recent Maha Kumbh, which concluded only weeks ago.

Although the fire caused extensive property damage estimated in lakhs of rupees, officials credited the swift and large-scale response by fire services for preventing an even bigger catastrophe.

Chief Fire Officer (CFO) R.K. Pandey stated that the quick deployment of firefighting teams helped prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent warehouses and nearby residential areas.

“While the fire has unfortunately destroyed a large part of the company’s stored inventory, the prompt and coordinated response from the fire department, the Army, and emergency services ensured that human lives were protected and property worth crores was saved from being reduced to ashes,” CFO Pandey said in his statement.

It took firefighters nearly five hours of continuous effort to bring the flames fully under control.

Over a dozen fire tenders were initially dispatched to the scene, and the gravity of the situation led to the mobilization of additional reinforcements from neighboring districts, including Pratapgarh. In total, 18 fire engines — comprising 12 vehicles from the Uttar Pradesh Fire Service and 4 more from the Army and local police units — were pressed into service to battle the inferno.

Amidst the tense rescue and firefighting efforts, the teams managed to evacuate 20 employees who were trapped inside the godown at the time the fire broke out. Despite the successful evacuation, at least seven individuals, including two fire department officers and five employees, sustained burn injuries.

The injured were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention, where their condition was reported to be stable.

In addition to those working inside the warehouse, concern quickly mounted for the safety of residents living nearby. Given the scale of the fire and the potential risk of it spreading to adjacent buildings and structures, the authorities moved swiftly to evacuate approximately 500 residents from a slum colony located close to the godown.

The displaced families were temporarily relocated to safer areas until the fire was brought under control.

As of now, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities probing the possibility of an electrical short circuit or accidental ignition triggered by flammable materials.

Senior fire officers are expected to submit a detailed report once the cooling process at the site is completed.

Meanwhile, local officials have assured the public that all necessary measures were taken to contain the situation and prevent a larger tragedy.

The timely evacuation and the coordination between multiple agencies, including district administration, fire services, police, and military personnel, are being widely credited for ensuring no loss of life.

The incident has cast a shadow over the preparations for future religious gatherings in the region, as Lallu Ji Tent & Company has been a longstanding supplier and an important logistical partner for such events. Recovery and assessment of the full extent of the damage are expected to take several days.