Diwali Rocket Ignites Balcony Sofa, Dogs Save the Day!

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri recently faced a frightening Diwali incident when an errant rocket struck and ignited the sofa on his balcony. The immediate alert from his dogs, however, prevented a potentially catastrophic accident, with the fire-resistant sofa fabric further mitigating the damage.

This alarming event prompted Agnihotri to voice strong concerns about fire safety during Diwali celebrations. He stressed that while Diwali is a cherished festival, unchecked fireworks pose a significant fire hazard, endangering lives and property and contradicting cultural values that protect innocent lives.

Responding to an appeal from Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde for a safe Diwali, Agnihotri urged for more robust enforcement of fire safety regulations and greater accountability. He emphasized that without effective implementation, mere appeals would be insufficient, calling for thorough investigations into fire incidents and assigning responsibility beyond just firecracker users to include public awareness and enforcement officials.