Diwali Fire Incidents See 15% Drop in Delhi: Safety Measures Effective

The Delhi Fire Services reported a 15% annual decrease in Diwali emergency calls, receiving 269 despite extensive safety measures. Most cases involved minor fires from firecrackers and diyas, with no major incidents occurring. Vigilant preparedness and public awareness contributed significantly to the reduced number of fire-related mishaps this year.

In a notable development, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) reported receiving 269 emergency calls during Diwali night, marking a 15 percent decline from the previous year's record of 318 calls. The figure represents a notable drop, considering it was the highest in the last 13 years.

A senior DFS officer highlighted that despite the volume of calls, there were no major mishaps or serious injuries reported. 'We received 269 fire calls till midnight, 122 of which were related to firecrackers,' the officer detailed, noting most incidents were minor blazes ignited by firecrackers and diyas.

The DFS had heightened alertness, placing all resources on standby throughout the festival. This included canceling staff leaves and ensuring all firefighting equipment was operational. Deputy Fire Chief AK Malik credited better public awareness and agency coordination for the decline in incidents.

(With inputs from agencies.)