Diwali celebrations triggered a big rise in fire-related incidents throughout Gurugram, with authorities receiving over 200 emergency calls between 5pm on Diwali night and 6am the next morning, officers mentioned on Friday.
The town’s hearth division responded to 57 hearth incidents and reported 32 minor accidents, however no main accidents or fatalities have been recorded. (HT Archive)
The town’s hearth division responded to 57 hearth incidents and reported 32 minor accidents, however no main accidents or fatalities have been recorded. In distinction, final yr, the town’s hearth division responded to 57 hearth incidents and reported 32 minor accidents, however no main accidents or fatalities have been recorded. In distinction, final yr, the authorities obtained 89 emergency calls. In the meantime, the variety of reported hearth incidents was recorded at 56 in 2023, whereas it was 39 in 2022. The variety of minor accidents reported throughout the interval was 19 and 16 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, whereas the variety of fatalities remained zero.
Fireplace division officers confirmed that roughly 126 calls have been obtained from 5 PM to midnight, adopted by 64 extra calls till early morning on Friday. Most incidents concerned firecracker-related mishaps that set trash, autos, and small buildings ablaze in residential neighbourhoods. Some complaints additionally got here from residents disturbed by the loud noise and air pollution, significantly as a result of its impression on pets, officers mentioned.
Deputy director (technical) of Haryana Fireplace Companies, Gulshan Kalra, mentioned that the reported incidents remained minor, largely manageable conditions stemming from firecracker misuse. “Our teams were on high alert, with additional resources positioned in high-density areas, which made a significant difference in our response,” Kalra added.
Among the many notable incidents was a fireplace close to Cross Rock Mall in Sector 92, the place firefighters efficiently rescued a calf that had fallen right into a ditch. One other hearth on the police automobile yard in Naurangpur destroyed three autos, reportedly as a result of firecracker mishandling. Fires have been additionally reported at a barber store close to the Gurugram Bus Stand, a chimney hearth on the Radisson Resort on Previous Delhi Street, and a rubbish pile close to the SS Group residential advanced in Sector 85. Fireplace groups additionally responded to an incident in Bhim Nagar round 12.41am.
Rameshwar Singh, hearth officer at Sector 29 hearth station, mentioned proactive deployment of engines and personnel helped scale back response occasions, with groups usually arriving inside minutes. “Our strategic positioning in high-risk areas was key to managing the volume of incidents. This preparedness helped decrease property damage and averted major injuries or fatalities,” Singh mentioned. The Sector 29 station obtained 17 alerts, primarily for rubbish fires ignited by sparks from firecrackers, he added.
Ashok Mishra, a Sikanderpur resident, famous the effectivity of the fireplace division’s response after two hearth incidents in his neighbourhood. “Firefighters reached within two to three minutes. They seemed to be stationed nearby, as it usually takes 10-15 minutes from the Sector 29 fire station,” Mishra added.
In the meantime, Sandeep Kumar, public relations officer of Gurugram police, mentioned police and hearth departments labored in tandem all through the evening, with hearth tenders stationed close to police stations, markets, and crowded areas to restrict potential injury. “Government and private ambulances were also on standby citywide in case of burn injuries,” he mentioned.