42 fire incidents in Mumbai during Diwali festivities

Despite appeals to city residents to exercise self-restraint while bursting fire crackers, there has not been a significant drop in fire cases during the Diwali celebrations, a senior fire brigade official has said.
As per the statistics revealed by the fire brigade department, 42 fire incidents were reported from October 25 to November 1 this year, with western suburbs witnessing 18 cases, followed by the eastern suburbs and the city having 12 cases each.
"Last year, total 99 cases of fire were reported in a span of 12 days, while this year, in only eight days so far total 42 cases of blaze have been reported, which is not satisfactory at all," the fire officer said.

He said the department officials were, however, maintaining strict vigil over the situation and issuing notices to those flouting the fire norms.
On October 27, the fire brigade department had asked the city police to ban the use of flying lanterns during Diwali celebration in a bid to avert any possible threats caused by them.
It had also cited the calls received at their stations during Diwali in the last three years. A total of 217 calls were received from 2013 to 2015.
"There is lack of sense of responsibility and alertness, due to which cases of fire are not dropping down considerably," the official rued.

He, however, hailed the efforts of fire brigade personnel in discharging their duty during the Diwali festival while setting aside their personal celebrations.