Though the arrival of the rain in Delhi has brought much-needed relief from the blistering heat, the painful memories of the cruelest summer in decades has left an inerasable mark on the city residents many of whom lost their loved ones in a spate of devastating fires during a prolonged heatwave.

The bitter memories of the loss of lives and property in the summer fires serve as a somber reminder of the heavy toll that extreme weather can exact from a city unprepared for such calamities.

Each summer, as temperatures in Delhi soar to record highs, the city’s residents find themselves unprepared not only for the stifling heat but also for a more deadly phenomenon-- accidental fires aided and abetted by extreme summer heat.

Just a week before one of the severest heatwaves in living memory subsided, four members of a family perished in a fire started by a spark from a short circuit in their house in the Prem Nagar area of Delhi. As many as three separate fire incidents took place across the city on that day. In two of these cases, there were no casualties, however.

These blazes act as stark indicators of the growing urban challenges afflicting this expansive metropolis.

Urban policy strategist and architect Ekta Singh said, “A large number of settlements in Delhi, particularly the old ones, are unplanned. As the city grows in an unregulated manner with all the available spaces being filled in haphazard ways in utter disregard of building norms and safety standards, untoward incidents, even disasters, remain lurking just around the corner.”

Data from the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) paints a grim picture of the situation. In May alone, they received 5,218 emergency calls, marking a staggering 75 per cent increase over the 2,935 calls received during the same month last year.

 In June, with temperatures continuing to rise, the DFS had responded to 1,681 calls by the 11th, and is on track to exceed the 2,571 calls recorded in June of the previous year. This surge in fire incidents starkly highlights the severe implications of the rising temperatures.

In May, a fire at a paediatrics hospital in the city claimed the lives of six newborns. “In the hospital, there were 12 newborns admitted. They were all rescued and shifted to the East Delhi Advance NICU Hospital, Vivek Vihar, for treatment. Shockingly, six of the babies were declared brought dead, one had died earlier. The bodies of all the seven children were sent to GTB Hospital for postmortem examination,” DCP Shahdara said.

In a majority of cases, short circuit is the culprit responsible for accidental fires. “Almost 70 per cent of the fires during summer are invariably caused by some fault in the electricity circuiting, wrong wiring, overheating, multi-plugging and other related problems,” said Delhi Fire Service chief Atul Garg. He underscored the severe strain on the department and said, “In summer, we handle an average of 150-170 fire-related calls daily, a figure that decreases to 60-70 in the winter. On May 29, we were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the distress calls, stretching our capabilities to the limit.”

Garg also underlined the unbreakable dedication of the team, stating, “Our personnel are operating continuously, foregoing rest and sleep, to manage these crises.”

 The surge in calls on May 29 “primarily originated from industrial zones in west Delhi, largely triggered by short- circuits within the congested confines of local buildings and shops”.

 Consumers, in an effort to combat the sweltering heat, frequently push the boundaries of their sanctioned electricity load.

Numerous other recent fires in Delhi have been traced to electrical short-circuits. The city’s peak power demand has broken previous records, hitting the 8,000 MW mark on May 29. This record was soon surpassed, with a staggering new peak of 8,647 MW on June 18, underscoring the intense strain on Delhi’s electrical infrastructure.

Recent data from the DFS revealed a grim reality — the number of fatalities from fire-related incidents in the national Capital has more than doubled compared to last year’s figures. By June 25, 2024, fire-related accidents claimed 83 lives, an alarming increase over the 39 deaths recorded during the same period in 2023.

The solution to Delhi’s frequent fires mainly caused by electrical malfunctions lies in a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s ageing electrical infrastructure. Key to this transformation is the elimination of substandard materials, specifically the avoidance of cheap Chinese wires notorious for their inability to bear load increases. Use of high-quality, ISI-certified wires in buildings is also a key component of the solution.

Realtor Zubaid-ur- Rahman Khan emphasised the importance of regular maintenance. “To further guard against the risk of short circuits, it’s important that people routinely inspect their electrical appliances.” This proactive approach not only enhances safety but also underscores the need for rigorous standards and vigilant oversight in building practices across Delhi.

Prevention of recurring fires is not only the responsibility of Government agencies but also of every citizen, businesses, and other stakeholders with genuine concern for the city and its residents.

Deplorably, a significant number of buildings ravaged by fires were found to have failed to meet basic fire safety standards, most strikingly, non-issuance of a ‘Fire No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) by the proper authorities. Numerous commercial establishments also operate without this critical clearance from the fire department, flouting safety regulations with impunity.

 However, not every building is mandated to have an NOC. Many of the fire-damaged properties are under the nine-metre- height limit that exempts them from needing a fire safety certificate from the DFS. This loophole often encourages property owners to neglect vital fire safety precautions, leading to preventable loss of life and extensive damage to property.

By adopting a holistic approach that includes strong fire safety protocols, strict enforcement of building regulations, and extensive public education on fire prevention, Delhi may be able to protect the lives of its residents, and significantly enhance the quality of urban living.