Latest Updates: Death toll rises to 3 in UP Durga Puja pandal fire

The commissioner said that persons with minor injuries were treated at local hospitals while critically injured were rushed to Varanasi after providing first aid.

"Soon, people were running all around and theflames were evident from several kilometres," the locals said. Although fire fighters reached the spot immediately, by the time flames could be doused, and the people inside the pandal could be rescued,over 50 had suffered burn injuries.

Within minutes, flames engulfed the entire puja pandal made of clothes on the base of bamboos.

Most of Durga Puja pandals were opened for devotees on the occasion 'Saptami' on Sunday, a day after the Shashti (sixth day) puja. There was a huge crowd at the Ekta Club pandal at the time of the incident around 8 pm. The fire started when people were taking part in the aarti ritual.

Three people were killed and at least 50 people, mainly women and children, suffered burn injuries when a crowded Durga Puja Pandal caught fire at Ekta Club on Bhadohi-Aurai Road in Bhadohi district, 40km from Varanasi, on Sunday night.