The Delhi Fire Services reported a busy Diwali night, responding to 269 emergency calls across the city. Fortunately, no significant accidents or casualties occurred during the celebrations. A senior DFS officer confirmed that the department was on high alert, with all fire stations and rapid response teams strategically deployed throughout Delhi.
“We received 269 fire calls up until midnight. Thankfully, no major incidents were reported,” stated the officer. The majority of the calls were for small fires, largely attributed to fireworks and decorative lamps (diyas).
To manage the increased demand during the festival, the DFS had previously canceled all staff leaves and ensured all fire-fighting equipment and vehicles were in optimal condition for prompt emergency responses. The officer emphasized that thorough advance planning was implemented to guarantee the safety of the public during this period. He noted that the DFS plays a vital role in mitigating fire-related incidents during Diwali and safeguarding citizens, recalling that over 200 calls were received on Diwali night last year.
In related news, Delhi experienced a significant deterioration in air quality on Tuesday, with a thick layer of smog enveloping the city, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the ‘Very Poor’ category. Many monitoring stations registered AQI levels in the ‘Severe’ category, indicating concerning pollution levels that could affect public health.