The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received a total of 204 calls on Diwali from across the Capital most of which were reported from east Delhi and west Delhi’s Janakpuri area. However, no injuries were reported.
15% less incidents
According to the data provided by the DFS, the number of incidents reported this year were 15% less than the previous year when the calls received stood at 243. Despite the ban on sale of firecrackers, the DFS remained busy on Thursday as most of the calls made were due to bursting of firecrackers. “Had it been a ban on bursting, the incidents might have come down further but people were in possession of crackers and also burst them,” said DFS’ Additional Director Atul Garg.
Mr. Garg said that that the Janakpuri fire station received the maximum number of calls. “The particular fire station was extremely occupied because they received 24 calls on Thursday. Fire stations in east Delhi also remained busy. The least number of calls came from south Delhi,” he said.
Of the 204 calls received by the fire department, 190 calls were regarding dousing fire. Interestingly, seven calls were made to rescue animals and two were made to rescue birds.
In the last three years, the numbers of incidents have come down considerably as 2015 had recorded 290.
While most of the fires were minor, the one that broke out in a godown in Gandhi Nagar’s Subhash Mohalla kept many fire officials on their toes as over 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. “The call was made around 10:30 p.m. and while there was a temporary fire post in the area, the tankers took a while to reach the spot because of the narrow streets,” said Mr. Garg.
