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On the auspicious occasion of Laxmi Pooja, Pune faced a surge in fire incidents, with the fire department recording 22 cases between 7:38 pm and 11 pm on November 12, the first day of Diwali. The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) fire brigade department revealed that this number may increase as Diwali celebrations continue until November 15.
Among the reported incidents, a shop near Sutar Hospital in Kothrud caught fire around 7:40 pm, fortunately resulting in no injuries. Various areas, including Rasta Peth, Wadarwadi, Nana Peth, Ghorpadi Peth, and more, witnessed fire incidents, some attributed to firecrackers.
Notably, a fire broke out in a high-rise residential building, Blue Sky Society, in Warje-Malwadi, due to firecrackers. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) fire brigade promptly responded, controlling the fire with no reported injuries.
Despite repeated appeals from local authorities to refrain from high-decibel firecrackers, many continued to burst them, contributing to the incidents. Pune’s fire brigade department, anticipating such challenges during Diwali, deployed 400 firefighters and positioned 30 fire vehicles, including 20 fire tenders, ten fire engines, four foam engines, and three rescue vans.
Nilesh Mahajan, spokesperson for the Pune fire brigade department, emphasized the importance of public caution during festivities, stating that while the department is well-prepared, citizens must exercise care when celebrating with firecrackers. The department has canceled leaves, ensuring a full force presence to handle any emergencies.
As the city navigates through the remaining days of Diwali celebrations, authorities urge residents to prioritize safety, emphasizing the potential risks associated with festive firecracker usage.
