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Journalism of Courage
Pune City Fire Brigade responded to a total of 60 incidents of fires that started due to firecrackers between October 28 and November 3 in the run up to Diwali and during the festival’s celebrations. No casualties were reported in these incidents.
These numbers were significantly higher than those from previous three years when 21, 19 and 35 fires due to fire crackers were reported in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively around and during Diwali.
As per data shared by Pune City fire brigade, between October 28 and 31, six fires due to crackers were reported. On November 1, the Laxmipujan day, 36 fires were reported. On November 2 and November 3, when Padwa and Bhau Beej were celebrated, 14 and four fires were reported respectively, bringing the total in these three Diwali days to 54.
“Most of these fires were started on balconies or rooftops of houses where unused items were stored. Other places were where there were piles of dried leaves or grass. There were some minor fires in houses and shops. No casualties were reported in any of the 60 incidents, all of which were minor fires. We had undertaken extensive awareness and sensitisation campaigns through our 20 fire stations. Our teams had reached out to people for awareness on fire safety norms,” said chief fire officer Devendra Potphode.
“In many cases, the fires had been doused before our teams could reach, and in other places our firefighters brought the fire under control swiftly. We will continue our awareness campaigns,” said Potphode.
