How can authorities reduce fire-related incidents in Delhi during Diwali celebrations?

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) reported over 300 fire-related incidents on Diwali, with no life-threatening cases, an official said on Friday.

DFS director Atul Garg stated that between midnight and 6 am, around 158 incidents were reported.

“There were no major calls but we received many. From 5 pm yesterday until midnight, around 192 calls were logged, and between midnight till 6 am around 158 more were reported. From 5 PM to 5 AM, in just 12 hours the 300 mark was crossed," said Garg.

He mentioned increased fire force during Diwali led to no major fires.

"There were minor fire incidents, including one in Vikaspuri where two people became unconscious. Another incident was reported in Mangolpuri, where a woman and two children were injured," Garg added.

A separate incident involved a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus. The DFS received a call about a man carrying potash in a bus, leading to a fire.

"There was a call from the Najafgarh area at around 6:30 PM that a man was carrying potash in a DTC bus, in which a blast took place. Potash is mainly used in firecracker manufacturing and is highly inflammable. Two people were injured. Two fire tenders were sent to the spot," he said.

Earlier, Delhi police reported burn injuries to a passenger and one co-passenger after firecrackers ignited in a DTC bus. An investigation found that a passenger had a small quantity of crackers that caught fire.

How can Delhi reduce fire-related incidents on Diwali?

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Dwarka confirmed, "On inquiry, it was found that a passenger was traveling in a bus carrying a small quantity of crackers. These crackers caught fire in the bus causing small burn injuries to the person carrying them and one co-passenger sitting beside him."

Following Diwali, Delhi's pollution levels surged, with many areas recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 350. This raised health concerns, especially in areas like Anand Vihar, Aya Nagar, Jahangirpuri, and Dwarka. The increased pollution was observed not only in Delhi but also in other major cities including Chennai and Mumbai.