Fire Erupts At Hampi Festival As Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Attends Inauguration

Vijayanagara: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other attendees narrowly escaped harm in Karnataka’s Vijayanagara after firecrackers resulted in the sudden eruption of fire near the stage during the inaugural event of the Hampi Festival on Thursday. The incident occurred while Siddaramaiah was attending the inaugural event. According to sources, the flames erupted on the right side of the stage, allegedly ignited by the firecrackers, moments after the chief minister inaugurated the Hampi Festival. 

The fire, which reportedly erupted on the right side of the stage, sent thick smoke billowing into the air. As per reports, the sudden fire near the stage prompted immediate action from firefighters who extinguished the flames. The immediate response from fire department officials prevented any casualties, though the atmosphere remained tense for some time.

The fire, believed to have been triggered by the firecrackers, ignited dry grass and other flammable materials near the stage, creating a sense of panic among the thousands of attendees, including dignitaries and tourists. 

"I was sitting near the stage when I saw sparks flying from the firecrackers, and suddenly the grass caught fire," said a person present at the event. He also said, "It was scary, but thankfully, the fire department officials were quick to respond and extinguished the flames." The police officials had banned drone flights over the area, citing security concerns, and instructed attendees not to fly drones.

The fire incident occurred around 8.05 pm, just as Siddaramaiah was about to perform a puja on stage. Despite the commotion, the CM remained calm, and the event continued without major disruptions. "The fire was brought under control quickly, and no one was hurt….We have banned drone flights over the area as a precautionary measure," said a police official. 

The Hampi Festival, which began on Thursday and will run until Saturday, is a showcase of Karnataka's rich history and culture, featuring traditional music, dance, and art performances. The event was expected to attract over 10 lakh visitors, including tourists from across the country and abroad.

The festival, which attracts thousands of visitors, has stringent security measures in place. The police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Further details regarding the incident are awaited.