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Diwali inferno: 75 fire calls rattle city
10 Nov
Summary
- 75 fire calls responded to across the city in 24 hours.
- Major fire gutted nine shops at Dhandhari Khurd vegetable market.
- Scrap sites and vacant plots accounted for 22 of the incidents.
Over a 24-hour period spanning November 8 and 9, the city's fire department managed 75 fire incidents, highlighting a busy Diwali night. A substantial fire erupted at the Dhandhari Khurd vegetable market around 10:30 pm, reportedly ignited by a firecracker. The flames quickly spread, consuming nine shops primarily dealing in quilts, mattresses, and vegetables, causing considerable financial losses.
In another significant event, a scrap shop in Kailash Nagar also caught fire on Diwali night, resulting in property damage estimated in the lakhs. The fire department successfully controlled both blazes, with no reported casualties. Records indicate that scrap godowns, vacant plots, and dumping grounds were common locations for fires, with 22 such incidents reported.
Factory fires and residential blazes also occurred, alongside incidents involving electrical installations and vehicles. Separately, a prolonged fire at a dumping site in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar generated thick smoke, inconveniencing residents and raising air quality concerns. The city had deployed temporary fire stations and additional personnel to manage the Diwali rush.
This year's 68 incidents within 24 hours show a high volume, though direct comparison with the previous year's 100 fires over a three-day period is limited by differing timeframes. The recurring fires underscore the risks associated with combustible waste accumulation and faulty electrical systems.
