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Delhi

Over 11,000 fire incidents in Delhi from April to July 31

Over 11,000 fire incidents were reported in the national Capital between April and July 31 this year, in which 36 people died and 262 were injured, data compiled by Delhi Fire Service (DFS) showed.

The DFS, which recorded an unprecedented number of fire calls in April and May, received 11,654 calls till July 31. However, the number of fire incidents decreased sharply after May. “The number of calls were so huge between April and May that we did a day-to-day analysis, but now the numbers have settled to what we can call normal,” a senior fire official said.

Of 3,560 calls received in May and 3,300 in April; the DFS found that a lot of fire incidents were minor in nature or were “panic calls”. The numbers declined by 30 per cent at 2,545 in June and 2,254 in July.

“Spike in fire calls in the peak months of May and June is regular every year, and the reason for that is extreme weather conditions. Low humidity made the conditions worse this year,” said Delhi Fire Chief GC Mishra.

In 2015, 27,089 cases were reported, which claimed 339 lives and injured 2,099.

Mishra said to ensure fewer casualties, the fire department alerted at least two-three fire stations so that whichever reaches at the spot first can start dousing the fire. Narrow lanes and congested streets though spoil a lot of time before fire extinguishing actually starts.

“There is nothing that we can do about narrow lanes. We have come with alternatives like laying down hose pipes through the streets but they are not the end solution,” he said, emphasising on the need for an in-built safety system to control fire. “With every minute, the risk increases not only for people but for our men,” he said.

The DFS also gives an NOC on the basis of 20 parameters laid down by the Delhi Fire Service Rules 2010. However, older buildings, which do not come under the purview of the new law, continue to be a challenge for the department.
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