Fire fighters in the district have braced up for the Deepavali festival keeping necessary paraphernalia in a state of readiness to attend to any fire accidents because of bursting of crackers.
Fire tenders with crew have been deployed as a standby in the city’s major commercial spots — Gandhi Market and near Singarathope — besides TVS Tollgate, Srirangam, and near Tiruverambur as a precautionary measure.
The Station Fire Officers have been instructed to be at their respective fire stations round-the-clock on the eve and on the day of the festival.
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The Tiruchi Fire Division accounts for eight fire stations — Tiruchi, Lalgudi, Manapparai, Thuvarankurichi, Srirangam, Uppilliyapuram, Pullambadi, and Navalpattu.
Fire and Rescue Services authorities said leave had not been granted to the fire fighters on the eve and on the day of the festival to attend to any emergencies.
The strength of the Tiruchi Fire Division, including personnel of the Fire Prevention Wing, have been deployed.
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Ahead of the festival, fire fighters carried out awareness campaigns at schools and in public places to drive home the message of celebrating Deepavali safely. Steps to be followed while bursting crackers were put across to the general public during the campaigns.
The city police on its part stepped up vigil in the city’s prominent business hubs including NSB Road, Big Bazaar street, Chinna Kadai Street, Gandhi Market, and Singarathope which were witness to a large number of shoppers teeming those places to make purchases on the eve of the festival.
Police sources said 500 personnel were deployed in different commercial spots where crime teams were posted to check offences and keep a watch on the anti-social elements.
Personnel from the Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police were drawn to augment the manpower strength for the Deepavali security duty, the sources added.