Delhi fire brigade gets over 210 calls on Diwali

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As Delhi celebrated Diwali bursting crackers, fire fighters were on their toes attending to over 200 calls about fire-related incidents from across the city.

The fire brigade received calls from almost all parts of the city but no major fire was reported except for a blaze reported from a restaurant in south Delhi's Hauz Khaz last evening. "We received a total of 210 calls from 0000 hours yesterday to 8 am today," a senior fire brigade official said.

While the city received 85 calls till 8 pm yesterday, the official said, the remaining 125 calls were received in the next eight hours. Between 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm last evening there were 22 calls. Last Diwali, fire brigade received 211 calls while the number was 267 calls in 2009. In 2008, the figure was 270 and 150 in 2007.

The fire brigade had deployed fire tenders in markets which do not have fire stations nearby.

"Ninety-nine per cent of our personnel were on duty on Diwali day," said the official. In Hauz Khaz, the blaze was reported from a four-storeyed building where 'Prayag Restaurant' is located soon after its owners held Diwali puja at the premises. No one was injured in the incident as the eatery was closed. Twelve fire tenders were rushed to the spot and the fire was doused.