Diwali triggers fire: Authorities get 300 calls; two children killed
What's the story
Authorities responded to over 300 calls about fire-incidents, triggered by firecrackers and LPG cylinder blast among others, on Diwali night in Delhi, including an incident in which two children were killed and two others were injured.
According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), a record number of 271 fire-related calls were received till midnight on Diwali and 74 more calls till 8AM today.
The incident
LPG cylinder blasts at Sadar Bazar, kills two children
The LPG cylinder blast happened in a slum near Filmistan Cinema, Sadar Bazar, in which two children, Ganesh (10) and Swati (8), were killed.
Their mother Suman (28) and brother Dhruv (5) suffered 55% and 70% burn injuries respectively and were admitted to a hospital.
The fire reportedly started from an LPG cylinder and spread to their shanty around 2:18AM, the DFS officer said.
Information
Bawana factory catches fire, no casualty
The fire services also received a call about a factory catching fire in the Bawana area in the North West district of Delhi. No casualties were reported in the factory fire. However, 18 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the blaze.
Comparison
Fire triggered by burning of firecrackers lesser this year: DFS
A DFS official said that though the number of fire-related calls was more as compared to previous years (204), there has been a decline in cases of fire triggered by burning of firecrackers.
The use of firecrackers on Diwali has come down over the years because the Supreme Court imposed a ban on their sale and use.
Still, violations were recorded at most places.
Information
Permanent, temporary fire stations set up to attend calls
DFS officials said, out of the total calls, 89 were fire at garbage and dump yards and the maximum calls came from West and Northwest districts. Besides the 59 permanent fire stations, DFS had set up temporary stations in different locations to attend the calls.