A fire broke out at the Kumbh Mela being held in Allahabad on Friday. Seventeen people suffered burn injuries in the blaze including four said to be in a serious condition. The fire broke out in two pandals reportedly owing to a gas cylinder blast. The pandals belonged to the Ram Janki Ashram located in sector 11 of the Kumbh Nagri.

Four fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire was brought under control after a struggle of around half-an-hour. The injured were first rushed to the central hospital set up in the mela area and from where they were referred to the SRN Hospital located in the city for treatment.

The 17 injured include three children. “The victims have sustained 30% to 60% burn injuries. All the injured have been referred to the SRN Hospital having a separate burn unit,” informed deputy superintendent of central mela hospital Dr Kaleem Akmal.