Diwali Night Havoc: Fire Sparks from Firecrackers Cause Nationwide Accidents, 3 Dead, Heavy Losses from Mumbai-Pune to Pali
Nationwide Fire Havoc on Diwali Night: 2 Dead in Firecracker Shop Fire in Pali, 10-Year-Old Child Killed by Rocket in Delhi; 63 Fire Incidents in Pune
Amidst firework celebrations on Diwali night, multiple fire incidents occurred across several cities in the country. Shops, factories, warehouses, and residential buildings were engulfed in flames. Three people died in these incidents, while several were injured or reported missing. The exact cause of the fire in many locations remains unclear.
Fatal Incidents
Rajasthan (Pali): A fire broke out in a firecracker shop near the Swarna Mandir in Falna town around 10 PM on Sunday night. According to initial reports, sparks from people bursting firecrackers on the road reached the shop. The fire spread to adjacent battery and cutlery shops. Two people were charred to death, while one was injured. Two scooties, a motorcycle, and a bicycle were also destroyed. Three people were reported missing, and search operations were ongoing. Firefighting efforts continued until around 2:30 AM.
Delhi (Narela): While bursting firecrackers on Diwali, a 10-year-old child was hit in the abdomen by a rocket. He was declared dead at the hospital. Relatives staged a protest alleging medical negligence. Police sent the body for a post-mortem.
Mumbai (Andheri West): A night prior, one person died in a fire that broke out in a high-rise building in Lokhandwala.
Maharashtra
Pune: 63 incidents of fire caused by firecrackers were recorded on Lakshmi Pujan day. No deaths or injuries were reported, but air quality was affected and haze was observed in the sky.
Nagpur: A fire sparked by firecrackers in the shed of Sai Dynamics TVS showroom in Savarkar Nagar destroyed several two-wheelers.
Mumbai: Fire in Haji Kasam Chawl in Dongri spread to over 30 shops and shanties. Three floors of Skyline Vihar building in Vidyavihar caught fire. A cylinder exploded in a garage in Jogeshwari. Fires were also reported in Kurla, Mulund, Marol, Kandivali, and Turbhe in Navi Mumbai.
Thane: A fire broke out between the 8th and 10th floors of the Raheja Garden complex. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde arrived at the spot.
Dadar West: Wood and bamboo materials caught fire at Kamgar Stadium. The fire was brought under control in 17 minutes.
Other States
Delhi (Najafgarh): Fire broke out in a garment factory in Nangli Sakrawati; 25 fire engines arrived at the scene.
Jammu & Kashmir: 12 shops burned down in Jammu's Nehru Market. The fire spread rapidly due to edible oil. Fire also broke out in the District Police Lines in Kathua.
Uttar Pradesh: A scrap shop burned down in Banda; the owner alleged intentional throwing of firecrackers and estimated losses of 20-25 lakhs. Fires broke out in a plastic company in Vijay Nagar, Ghaziabad, and a flat in Crossing Republik Society.
Bihar: Goods worth lakhs burned in a steel warehouse in Patna City, and a scrap shop caught fire from firecracker sparks in Maner.
Sikkim: Fires broke out in the old hospital premises in Namchi and a government quarter in Gangtok.
Telangana: Fire spread from a plastic factory to an adjacent plywood unit in Katedan Industrial Area of Rangareddy; short circuit is suspected.
Haryana: A fire in a juicer-mixer factory in Sonipat could not be extinguished for over three hours. Tin sheds and unauthorized constructions created hurdles for firefighters.
West Bengal: Sparks from firecrackers caused a warehouse fire in Titagarh, which spread to several houses.
What Was the Cause?
In some incidents, sparks from firecrackers were cited as the reason, while in many cases the exact cause remains unclear.
