Massive Fire Engulfs Marriage Gardens in Gwalior, India

A massive fire broke out at the Sangam Vatika marriage garden in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, on Friday night during a pre-wedding ceremony. The blaze, caused by an explosion in an air conditioning unit, quickly spread to the adjacent Rang Mahal garden, consuming both premises in flames.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire started when an AC unit at Sangam Vatika exploded, igniting nearby curtains and tents. The flames rapidly grew and jumped to the neighboring Rang Mahal garden. Around 300 people, including the bride and groom, were present at the time but managed to evacuate safely. However, 3-4 people sustained serious injuries in the incident.

Local authorities were alerted, and 20 fire tenders from Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, and Datia were deployed to the site to combat the blaze. Firefighters had to break down walls to access the fire, as the marriage gardens were constructed with highly flammable materials like wood, foam, plastic, and fabrics. It took the fire department nearly 8 hours to bring the situation under control.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the importance of fire safety compliance and preparedness at public venues. It also raises questions about the responsiveness of local authorities and the adequacy of fire safety measures at such establishments.

The Gwalior Collector and SP reached the site to oversee the firefighting and rescue operations. A team of home guards and the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) also assisted in the efforts. "The fire department had previously warned the Sangam Banquet Marriage Garden about fire safety concerns, but the management had been negligent," stated a fire department official. The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav, took cognizance of the news and directed authorities to take immediate action against marriage gardens not complying with fire safety regulations.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported as guests and staff were able to evacuate in time. Shubham, a worker trapped inside the Rang Mahal garden, was rescued by the SDRF team. The exact cause of the AC explosion is under investigation, and authorities have vowed to take strict action against establishments flouting fire safety norms. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need for stringent fire safety measures and compliance at public gathering places to prevent such potentially catastrophic events in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Massive fire broke out at Sangam Vatika marriage garden in Gwalior, India.
• Fire caused by AC explosion, spread to adjacent Rang Mahal garden.
• 300 people evacuated, 3-4 sustained injuries; 20 fire tenders deployed.
• Fire dept. had warned garden about safety concerns, but management was negligent.
• CM directed action against marriage gardens not complying with fire safety norms.