173 fire-related incidents reported in Delhi

The Delhi fire department on Sunday received 173 calls related to minor fire incidents from across the national capital on Diwali in which three persons sustained burn injuries.

"We received 173 fire calls till 10 PM and all were responded to with no major damage or casualties reported. The calls included eight incidents of cracker fires in which three persons sustained burn injuries who were admitted to nearby hospitals," said a senior Delhi Fire Service officer.

Forty calls were received during the peak hours (from 8 pm to 10 pm), however, no major casualties or damages were reported, said the officer.The time period from 8 pm to 10 pm is when the



department receives maximum fire calls as people celebrate the festival by lighting earthen lamps and bursting crackers.

"We have pressed our maximum fire fighting equipments to tackle any (fire) situation and deployed over 1,500 personnel to meet any eventuality on the day," said the Director of Delhi Fire Services GC Mishra.

Besides the 59 permanent fire stations, the Fire Services has also set up temporary stations at 22 locations across the city from where maximum fire calls were received during last year's Diwali.The Fire Services has also increased the number of phone lines to the control room in view of the increased number of fire calls on Diwali.