Fire department will not station its vehicles in crowded firecracker markets of the city.
Unlike last year no fire tankers will be stationed near your vicinity. So you better be extra careful while handling crackers this Diwali.
Last year, the fire tankers were stationed at different location in the city to handle any crisis situation.
But this year the fire brigade has not received any permission from the fire department to do so. Areas like Dilli Darwaja, Maninagar, Kankaria, Raipur and Manek Chowk house some of the biggest fire cracker markets in the city.
They also happen to be extremely crowded and in case of fire or any other incident casualty is likely to be higher. In fact there are many instances of firecracker explosions taking place in the middle of such crowded places. In 2008, for instance, 7 shops were gutted down after a ‘rocket’ explosion. The explosion had created lots of chaos.
The fire brigade officials could not reach the spot on time due to the narrow lanes and the crowd. As a result seven shops were gutted down. The resulting stampede injured a number of people.
A similar incident also took place in the Raipur firecracker market where an explosion caused by a fire cracker led to the death of a man.
Earlier a water tanker was stationed at such places by the fire brigade department before Diwali to ensure adequate help in case of fire.
However, this year no such provision has been made.
Fire department said that the fire cracker shop owners do not follow the rules and regulations and this is what often leads to incidents of fire.
Ashish Khajanchi, president, Firecrackers Association, said “This year the fire brigade has not provided us with a water tanker. In case of a fire, the shops will be charred before any help can arrive.” He said the fire department has said that the area is so crowded that there is no place for a water tanker to move.
“Every year we pool money and get a tanker stationed here,” he said.
“Though the likelihood of a fire is less, as the shopkeepers are vigilant, the same cannot be said of street hawkers selling fire crackers,” said Khajanchi.
“We have not provided the fire cracker sellers with water tankers because they absolutely refuse to follow the rules and regulations set by us,” said MF Dastur, the fire officer.
He said the sellers continue to do business in extremely crowded places. “There isn’t enough space for a fire engine to pass through. It is now their responsibility to ensure there is no untoward incident. On our part we will rush for help when it is needed,” said Dastur.
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