Despite the annual warnings and awareness campaigns preached every Diwali, this year's celebrations continued their perilous dance with fireworks. Often dismissed by enthusiasts who disregard pollution and air quality issues, the lack of basic safety around fireworks has once again turned joyful celebrations into tragedy.
On Wednesday night, a negligent spark left a deep shadow over 19 family homes. In the blink of an eye, the festival of lights transformed into a scene of silence and sorrow.
The catastrophe unfolded late Wednesday night in the Shakti Khand-2 area of Indirapuram, Ghaziabad. It's reported that disaster was averted, considering no lives were lost, but can we truly say it was prevented? At plot number 188, the five-storey Divya Apartments were suddenly consumed by fire, triggering panic across the locality. Thanks to the prompt response and coordination of firefighters and locals, all 19 families were safely evacuated.
Source: aajtak
Years of Hard Work Reduced to Ashes
Fortunately, there was no loss of life; however, the fire decimated all the families' possessions. Everything gathered over years, from the smallest needle to the largest sofa, now lies in ruins. The building's aftermath, depicted in horrifying videos and pictures, showcases the extensive damage and loss. These families have lost more than their homes; this is a calamity, not an avertable accident.
Efforts to Combat the Flames
Chief Fire Officer Rahul Pal shared that the fire alert came around 8:30 PM. Upon receipt, three tankers were dispatched from the Vaishali fire station, with additional assistance summoned from Kala Patthar, Indirapuram, and Atal Chowk Vasundhara, plus a tanker from Sahibabad. Mobilizing about six fire engines and five to six hose lines, firefighting personnel successfully tamed the flames after a grueling hour.
Firefighters, equipped with breathing apparatus, braved smoke-filled chambers to extinguish the blaze. Preliminary investigations reveal that sparks from Diwali fireworks ignited the fire, which quickly caught items on the balconies and spread across the building.
Source: aajtak
How Did the Fire Start?
Local resident Deepak Tyagi reported the fire initiated from his flat, accusing a neighbor. Deepak stated, 'The fire began in my flat after a cracker hit my inverter. Nearby resident, Jitendra, was setting off fireworks. Another individual from our building, Rajiv, participated despite our RWA president Ashok Tyagi's attempt to intervene. I attempted to extinguish the blaze with an extinguisher, but the flames were uncontrollable. The fire rapidly engulfed my house, then escalated throughout the building.'
'We Were About to Have Dinner'
Another resident refuted these allegations, asserting, 'I live on the third floor. After the rituals, we were eating with our children. No one can accuse us of arson. My husband's name is Rajiv; we reside in this building and would not harm it. Some people have made incorrect statements.' Meanwhile, the fire department initiated a comprehensive inquiry to uncover the true cause.
Officials noted that a delayed response could have worsened the situation. Furniture, electronics, and household items were completely incinerated, while parts of the building bore severe damage.
Understanding the Perils and Precautions
Experts caution that residential buildings face the highest fire risks from elements like balconies, inverters, wiring, kitchens, and external fireworks. Even a moment's negligence can endanger an entire floor or building.
Source: aajtak
Primary Fire Hazards in Such Buildings:
-Storing flammable materials like wood, fiber sheets, or old furniture on balconies
-Keeping inverters or batteries exposed, especially during fireworks
-Using outdated electrical wiring and overloaded circuits
-Operating multiple heavy devices from a single board
-Disregarding nearby structures when setting off fireworks during festivals or events
Precautions to Avert Large-Scale Tragedies:
-Avoid keeping flammable objects (furniture, clothes, paper, boxes, etc.) in balconies or corridors
-Conduct fireworks in open spaces, away from buildings
-Equip homes with fire extinguishers and educate all family members on their use
-Regularly inspect old wiring and guard against overloading
-Periodically check fire alarms, emergency exits, and fire safety systems in the building
