Pune: 135 Firecracker-Related Fires in Four Years, PMC Issues Strict Safety Guidelines for Diwali
Pune, 17th October 2025: With Diwali festivities approaching, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Fire Department has launched a special fire safety awareness campaign to prevent mishaps caused by careless bursting of firecrackers. The move comes in the wake of 135 fire incidents recorded in the city over the past four years due to crackers.
According to data shared by the Fire Department, 21 fire incidents were reported in 2021, 19 in 2022, 35 in 2023, and a sharp rise to 60 in 2024. Officials said the campaign aims to ensure that this year’s celebrations are both joyous and safe.
A PMC fire official said, “Diwali is a festival of light and happiness, but negligence while bursting crackers can quickly turn celebrations into tragedy. We are appealing to citizens to follow safety guidelines and celebrate responsibly.”
To enhance preparedness, all 23 fire stations in the city have been placed on high alert, and the fire control room will remain operational 24×7 during the festival period. Fire department vehicles are also conducting patrols near cracker shops and using megaphones to spread safety messages.
Safety Guidelines for Citizens
The PMC Fire Department has urged citizens to follow these precautions while celebrating Diwali:
Burst crackers only in open spaces—avoid crowded areas, buildings, or vehicles.
Never hold or attempt to relight partially burnt crackers.
Children should not burst crackers without supervision.
Maintain a minimum distance of five meters while lighting crackers.
Wear cotton clothes, not nylon, to avoid fire accidents.
Keep lamps, candles, and incense sticks away from crackers.
Avoid bursting crackers near flammable materials, gas cylinders, or electrical wires.
Do not store firecrackers inside homes, vehicles, or basements.
Vendors must have firefighting permissions and keep fire extinguishers at their sales counters.
Use eco-friendly ‘green crackers’ to reduce air and noise pollution.
In case of fire, use water or sand to douse the flames and immediately contact the fire control room.
The Fire Department has appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities to make Pune’s Diwali celebrations safe, peaceful, and environmentally friendly.
