Navi Mumbai [India], November 10: Fire brigade teams across Navi Mumbai and Panvel responded to 166 emergency calls during the Diwali celebrations between November 6 and 9, highlighting the fire safety risks associated with firecracker use. Most of the reported incidents were minor and were brought under control promptly. Officials reported no casualties or injuries in these incidents.
The emergency calls were handled by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), CIDCO and Panvel fire brigades across their respective jurisdictions. Several incidents involved firecrackers landing on balconies, godowns, buildings and other premises, triggering fires.
Navi Mumbai Fire Brigade Receives 74 Calls
The Navi Mumbai Fire Brigade attended 74 calls across its five fire stations between November 8 and 9.
Vashi recorded the highest number with 23 calls, followed by Nerul with 19, Airoli with 13, Koparkhairane with 12 and CBD Belapur with seven.
Apart from fire-related emergencies, the teams also attended four rescue calls and one other emergency call.
CIDCO Fire Stations Receive 63 Calls
CIDCO’s fire brigade received 63 calls across its Kharghar, Ulwe and Dronagiri fire stations between November 6 and 8.
Kharghar recorded the highest number of calls at 41, including 32 fire calls, two firecracker-related incidents, one rescue call and six other emergencies.
Ulwe recorded 18 calls, comprising 13 fire calls, four firecracker-related incidents and one rescue call. Dronagiri attended four calls, including two fire calls, one firecracker-related incident and one other emergency.
Panvel Fire Brigade Handles 29 Emergency Calls
The Panvel Fire Brigade attended 29 calls during the same period. Officials said several incidents involved firecrackers landing on balconies, godowns and other premises, resulting in minor fires.
Fire brigade personnel said the severity of an incident depends on the resources required to control it. Fires that can be contained using a single fire engine are generally categorised as minor incidents.
One of the reported incidents involved goods stored outside a shop at Bhurasar Tower in Sector 12, Kamothe. The material caught fire on Monday afternoon, prompting fire personnel from Kamothe and Kalamboli to respond. A JCB was used to move the tin shed outside the shop and clear the burnt material before firefighters completely extinguished the blaze.
Fire Brigade Appeals for Caution During Celebrations
Fire officials have appealed to residents to exercise caution while bursting firecrackers, particularly near residential buildings, balconies, godowns and areas where combustible materials are stored.
They have also advised citizens to avoid throwing or directing firecrackers towards buildings and vehicles. Keeping a safe distance, supervising children and ensuring that fire engines have clear access during emergencies are among the important precautions residents should follow.
The number of emergency calls during the festive period serves as a reminder that even seemingly small firecracker incidents can cause property damage and create risks for people living nearby.
Fire brigade officials have urged citizens to celebrate festivals responsibly and cooperate with emergency response teams to prevent avoidable accidents.
