Properties of Rs 44 lakh gutted in 49 fire cases triggered by crackers in last 10 yrs
   Date :14-Nov-2020

Properties _1  
By Dheeraj Fartode
 
 
A total of 195 fire incidents due to various reasons were reported in city during Diwali
 
Beware, while handling crackers during Diwali as a total of 49 fires were triggered by bursting of crackers and properties collectivelly worth Rs 43.91 lakh were gutted in the fire incidents in last 10 years.
According to statistic of Fire and Emergency Services of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), a total of 195 incidents of fire were reported in Nagpur between 2009 to 2019 during the time of Diwali festivities wherein bursting crackers is one of the main attraction. Of them, 54 incidents occurred due to bursting of crackers while 13 other incidents were reported due to oil lamp that are lit up during Diwali as per custom. At times some of the crackers, like rocket or those packed in bunches tend to shoot of and land at other than designated place triggering fire. The presence of combustible material at the landing place provides ammunition to trigger the fire that at times causes havoc.
 

 A total of 195_1 &n 
 
In 2009, a total of 17 incidents of fire were reported and of them five occurred due to bursting of crackers. Thereafter in 2010, four incidents occurred but crackers were not the culprits this time. But in year 2011 the city saw whopping 27 fire incidents during the time of Diwali. Of them, five were attributed to the improper handling and bursting of crackers.
The incidents of fire dropped to 22 in the year 2012, it included nine due to bursting of crackers but they were highest during the decade. The figure of fire incidents again dropped in the year 2013 as city witnessed 18 such incidents. Of them, four occurred due to bursting of crackers.
A total of four incidents of fire due to crackers were reported in 2014, while tally of total fire incidents was at 17. In year 2015, a total of 14 fire incidents were reported.
Of them, five occurred due to bursting of crackers. Similarly, 22 incidents of fire were occurred in year 2016 including six due to bursting of crackers. The incidents of fire again rose to 26 in 2017 with contribution of seven incidents due to bursting of crackers.
In recent past, the incidents of fire due to bursting of crackers have decreased in the city as 2018 saw 17 incidents of fire during Diwali. Of them, three occurred reportedly due to bursting of crackers. Last year, the city recorded 11 incidents of fire including one due to bursting of crackers.
It may be mentioned that fire in congested part of city is the most troubling situation for firefighters as they get little room for fire fighting.