Over 200 people died in different incidents in 2018: DFS

New Delhi: More than 200 persons died in different incidents including fire, house collapse in the city in 2018-19, said the data of Delhi Fire Services (DFS).

The data further that the calls regarding different incidents also increased last year. The data accessed by Millennium Post revealed that 297 deaths reported last year whereas 1,597 persons were injured in different incidents in which DFS received information to conduct rescue operation. Last year, the city witnessed 27 medium and four serious fire. In the year 2017, as many as 318 persons died in 2017-18 and 1,767 injured. Around 24 medium and four serious fire were also reported.

The fire service responded to 31,264 calls in the last year from 64 fire stations whereas in 2017-18, around 29,423 calls came to DFS.

"Calls on garbage fire was one such reason behind the increase in the calls. Moreover, the increasing population, industrialisation, vehicles on the road were the other reasons. These calls include everything like house collapse, sewer deaths," said Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service, Atul Garg. The fire services also responded to seven foreign calls last year.

The data further revealed that in 2016-17, as many as 30,285 calls came to DFS in which 1,987 persons were injured and 277 deaths took place. Around 20 medium and six serious fire were reported.

In 2015-16, the fire services responded to 27,089 calls in which 339 deaths were reported and 2,099 persons were injured whereas in 2014-15 as many as 23,242 calls came to DFS in which 2,068 persons received injury and 291 died.

"Last year, the inspections of buildings of all natures such as schools, guest houses, hospitals and nursing homes, industries, etc were conducted throughout the year to ensure the fire and life safety systems and issuance of fire safety certificates," said DFS. The fire department claimed that in 2017, around 1,883 buildings were given fire NOCs whereas in 2018, 2,618 different types of structures were given the certificate.

According to DFS, there are different reasons behind the fire which include inappropriate and illegal use of building infrastructure, poor wiring, improper staircases in factories and residencies cause casualties during any blaze.

In many cases of sewer deaths, it was found that the deceased was not given proper safety equipment for going inside the sewer whereas in road accidents, negligent, drunk driving led to the incidents.

Increase in manpower

According to DFS, 500 fire operators, duly selected through DSSSB, have joined DFS and presently, undergoing basic fire fighting training and shall be inducted into the service very soon. One legal assistant, four fireman (Band) have also joined DFS. Further process of recruitment of 55 Radio Telephone Operators is in progress at DSSSB.