Even as Delhiites celebrated Diwali, firefighters were on their feet attending to over 180 calls related to fire incidents from across the city. A total of 266 minor incidents of fire were reported in the Capital during Diwali, but no one was injured. Of these, 177 fires were reported during the 24 hours ending Sunday midnight and 89 until 8 am on Monday. A total of 250 fires broke out during last year’s Diwali.
A senior fire department official said that they have received calls from almost all parts of the city but no major fire or casualty was reported. “We received a total of 184 calls from 8 pm since Sunday night,” a senior fire brigade official said, adding that they have received 95 calls between 8 pm on Sunday till midnight where 89 calls were received after that.
The fire department received 75 calls between 6 pm to 10 pm. There were just 24 calls between 6 pm and 8 pm this year which is said to be the peak hour for people bursting crackers. last year, fire brigade officials had received 50-55 calls around during this two-hour span while in 2010 they had received 210 calls in the same period. Fire tenders had been deployed at markets with no fire stations in the vicinity. “Ninety-nine per cent of our personnel was on duty on Diwali,” the officer added.
He also said that a total of 250 fires broke out during last year’s Diwali. “Thanks to more awareness, this year’s Diwali no major fire was reported. Ninety per cent of all cases this year were caused by fireworks,” the officer clarified.