New Delhi: On the festival of lights, while some parts of the national capital were illuminated by lamps, others saw flames reaching toward the sky. Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the fire department’s phones rang incessantly. In some places, piles of trash caught fire, while in others, towering flames erupted from factories and warehouses. These fire incidents cast a shadow over the Diwali celebrations, leaving the capital shaken.
During a press briefing at the Delhi Fire Service headquarters, Chief Fire Officer A.K. Malik stated that the Delhi Fire and Emergency Services received a total of 257 emergency calls on November 8. Of these, 214 were related to fire incidents—accounting for approximately 83 percent of the total calls. This included 40 incidents involving fires in trash piles and 24 incidents linked to firecrackers. These figures have once again highlighted the risks facing the capital’s fire safety infrastructure during the festive season.
A Major Surge in Fires After Dark: 85 Calls in Two Hours
The fire department began receiving emergency alerts from the morning of Diwali, but as the night deepened, the fire incidents escalated into major blazes. The situation was most challenging between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM. During this period, the fire department received 85 emergency calls, 84 of which were related to fires. Subsequently, between 10:00 PM and midnight, another 61 calls were received, 60 of which pertained to fire incidents.
Looking at the data, the fire department had to contend with a continuous series of fire incidents from 8:00 PM until midnight. Earlier, between 12:01 AM and 7:00 AM, 16 calls were received, including 11 fire incidents and three incidents involving firecrackers. From 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 36 calls were recorded—19 related to fires and two to firecrackers. Between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, 14 calls were received, followed by 13 calls between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, an additional 32 calls further increased the workload for the fire department.
Waste Piles Ignited; Firecracker Sparks Exacerbate Issues
During Diwali, fires involving waste and those triggered by firecracker sparks posed a significant challenge. According to the data, 40 incidents of waste catching fire were recorded, while 24 fire incidents linked to firecrackers kept the fire department constantly occupied. In several instances, even fires that initially appeared minor necessitated the arrival of firefighters to manage the situation. Beyond fires, the fire department responded to 17 animal rescue calls, seven bird rescue calls, and five human rescue calls. There were also nine requests for special operations and three instances where crews were placed on standby. Additionally, one building collapse and one road accident were reported. Thus, the scope of the fire service during Diwali extended well beyond just extinguishing fires; the department remained actively engaged across various relief and rescue fronts. Fires Rage in Factories and Warehouses; Panic Grips Industrial Areas
A series of serious fire incidents across several industrial and residential areas of the capital has sparked widespread concern. Fires were reported at two factories located on the road near the cremation ground in Nangli Sakrawati. Meanwhile, a fire at a factory in the Narela industrial area prompted an immediate response from the fire department. A fire was also recorded at an NDMC warehouse near Safdarjung Airport.
Additionally, fires broke out in factories, homes, and shops in various locations, including a warehouse in Libaspur. While some of these incidents were classified as medium-scale, others were categorized as ‘Major Fire Incidents’ (Level-4). Given the severity of these blazes, firefighters had to engage in intensive relief and rescue operations. These incidents at industrial establishments have once again raised questions regarding fire safety measures and emergency preparedness.
Firefighters Risk Their Lives Battling Blazes; Six Injured
The firefighting operations on the night of Diwali proved to be highly perilous for the personnel involved. One fatality was recorded during these incidents, while six members of the Delhi Fire Service sustained non-fatal injuries.
Naveen Thakur, Station Officer (STO) from Paschim Vihar, sustained burns to his right hand while battling a medium-scale fire in Nangli Sakrawati. Meanwhile, Sita Ram, Station Officer (SO) from Wazirpur, suffered a fractured hand while fighting a fire at a warehouse in Libaspur. Other personnel also sustained injuries to their hands and legs.
While people across the capital were celebrating Diwali, firefighters were risking their lives to combat the flames. The injuries sustained by these personnel serve as a testament to the immense challenges faced by the fire service during the festive season.
Comparison with Previous Years: A Slight Improvement in Figures, Yet the Danger Persists
During Diwali 2026, a total of 257 emergency calls were recorded. A comparison with data from previous years reveals a decline in the number of calls: 269 calls were recorded in 2025, 318 in 2024, 208 in 2023, and 290 in 2015. Meanwhile, the number of calls received between 6:00 PM on the night of Diwali and 6:00 AM the following morning stood at 281—compared to 283 calls during the same period in 2025 and 320 in 2024. Consequently, there was a marginal decrease in emergency calls during the night compared to the last two years. However, this overall decline cannot be viewed as a definitive cause for relief. With 214 fire-related calls, 40 incidents of waste fires, and 24 incidents involving firecrackers, it is clear that the challenge of fire safety in the capital remains a serious concern.
A Lesson in Safety During the Festival of Lights
Diwali 2026 served as a stark reminder for Delhi that even the slightest negligence can escalate into a major fire disaster. Sparks from firecrackers, fires in waste, and blazes at industrial establishments kept the fire department occupied throughout the festival. Although the figures show a slight decrease compared to previous years, the 214 fire-related calls serve as a significant warning for the capital. Amidst the glow of lamps, firefighters—battling flames—once again demonstrated their readiness to confront any danger to ensure the safety of others.
