A massive fire broke out at Gurugram’s Kingdom of Dreams, an iconic entertainment venue in Sector 29, early Thursday morning, reducing large portions of the structure to ashes before firefighters could intervene. Fortunately, there were no casualties as the venue had remained sealed for nearly three years due to unpaid dues.
Fire officials received an alert at around 6:50 AM, but by the time they arrived, most of the structure had already been consumed by flames. Thick plumes of black smoke covered the skyline as over 10 fire tenders worked for nearly three hours to bring the blaze under control.
“Six firefighting vehicles from the Sector 29 fire station were dispatched, with additional reinforcements from Udyog Vihar, Bhim Nagar, Sector 37, and IMT Manesar. After an intense hour-long effort, the fire was contained. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. However, the cause of the fire remains undetermined,” said Gulshan Kalra, deputy director (technical) of Haryana Fire and Emergency Services.
This is the second fire incident at Kingdom of Dreams, with a similar blaze occurring in July 2023 in the basement. The property has remained shut since July 2022 after being sealed by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) over outstanding dues of ₹107 crore.
Once a premier cultural destination known for its live theatre performances and ‘Culture Gully’ showcasing Indian cuisines, Kingdom of Dreams was leased in 2008 under a long-term agreement with HSVP, requiring a monthly rent of ₹36 lakh. However, financial difficulties led to mounting arrears, forcing its closure.
“The risk of fire incidents rises when a building is left unattended without routine maintenance. This is the second major fire in less than a year, and investigations are needed to rule out negligence or foul play,” Kalra added.
The venue, which once attracted over 7,00,000 visitors annually, struggled financially, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic worsened its crisis. The ₹350-crore project had been entangled in legal disputes, including a case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act after a ₹3.92 crore cheque from the KoD management bounced.
Now, the once-thriving entertainment hub stands abandoned and vulnerable to further damage. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire while considering preventive measures to avoid future incidents.
