Fire at Kingdom of Dreams, Culture Gully turns to ashes
A major fire broke out at Kingdom of Dreams in Sector 29, Gurugram, on Thursday morning, gutting a significant portion of the property, including the famous Culture Gully. The venue has been closed since July 2022 due to outstanding dues of Rs 107 crore to the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP).
Fire officials received a call at 6:45 am when a security guard noticed smoke billowing from the premises. The fire, which started in Culture Gully, quickly spread, engulfing furniture, thermocol and multiple restaurants in flames. More than 10 fire engines from different fire stations, including Sector 29, Udyog Vihar and Bhim Nagar, were deployed to control the blaze. After nearly four hours of effort, the fire was finally doused by 11 am.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, but a short circuit is suspected. “Electricity is off in the complex, so the exact cause is unknown. Abandoned buildings without maintenance pose a higher fire risk,” said Fire Officer Rameshwar Dyal.
This is the second major fire at Kingdom of Dreams in the past two years. In July 2023, a similar fire broke out in the basement, raising concerns about the safety and upkeep of the defunct property.
Inaugurated in 2010, Kingdom of Dreams was a major tourist attraction, offering cultural performances, theatre shows and global-themed experiences. It attracted around 7,00,000 visitors annually before being sealed by HSVP in July 2022 due to unpaid dues.
Despite its past glory, the entertainment hub now stands in disrepair, with its future uncertain. Officials have ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess further risks.
