Ahmedabad, November 5, 2024 – Diwali in Ahmedabad this year was marked not only by a brighter skyline but also by a significant reduction in fire-related incidents. The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services (AFES) reported a remarkable 40% drop in the number of fire calls received during the festive period, compared to the previous year, signaling a positive shift in safety awareness among the city’s residents.

Between October 31 and November 5, AFES received 189 calls, down from 307 during the same period in 2023. This year, Diwali day (October 31) alone saw a reduction in calls, with only 80 fire-related emergencies, a drastic decrease from the 136 calls in 2023.

Experts attribute the decline to multiple factors: improved public awareness about fire safety, more stringent regulations on firecracker use, and advanced firefighting technology deployed by local authorities.

“People are becoming more cautious, and that is reflected in the number of fire calls. We also witnessed better compliance with the city’s fire safety norms, which contributed to fewer incidents,” said Jayesh Khadia, Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad. He emphasized that while the number of incidents was lower, the scale of some of the fires remained considerable, with major blazes occurring at storage units and warehouses.

The largest fire of the Diwali period occurred at the Mirzapur scrap market, where firecrackers caused a devastating blaze, engulfing 30 out of 50 shops. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, and the situation was brought under control swiftly with over 80 firefighters and 21 firefighting vehicles. Khadia assured residents that such rapid response efforts prevented a more significant tragedy.

In line with the city’s evolving fire safety practices, more fire stations were deployed to high-risk zones, especially in densely populated areas like western Ahmedabad. The increase in public awareness campaigns and firecracker restrictions also played a key role in reducing the number of fire incidents.

While Ahmedabad celebrated with grandeur this Diwali, the city has made considerable progress in its approach to safety, marking a new chapter in the balance between celebration and prevention.