Maharashtra: Pune sees 65 fire cases, Pimpri-Chinchwad 17, over two days of Diwali festivities

Pune Fire Brigade officials said most fires were triggered by firecrackers or decorative lights. Despite the surge, the civic fire departments’ extensive safety campaign, “Safe Diwali, Happy Diwali,” is believed to have helped prevent serious accidents. Fire personnel used loudspeakers across the city to remind residents about fire safety precautions, especially during festive evenings when cracker usage peaks, said Nilesh Mahajan, a PMC fire officer.PIC VIA ARCHANA DAHIWAL

According to PMC fire records, the maximum number of incidents occurred on Laxmi Poojan night (November 1), between 7 p.m. and midnight, when 36 fires were reported in various parts of the city, including Hadapsar, Warje, Kasba Peth, Kothrud, Sinhgad Road, Dhayari, and Baner. On Diwali Padwa, 14 more cases were registered, followed by nine on Bhau Beej. In total, 60 separate fire cases were reported across Pune city and suburbs during the Diwali period.

Most of these incidents involved balcony fires, garbage fires, and small residential blazes, often caused by falling rockets or burning decorative materials. The Fire Brigade’s Central Control Room confirmed that despite the record number of calls, no serious injuries or major property losses were reported.

One notable incident occurred in Hingne Khurd on Sinhgad Road, where a warehouse storing event and decorative materials caught fire on Monday evening. The godown, belonging to Bendre Event Management, contained large quantities of carpets, drapes, and plastic decorations, which ignited rapidly.

Teams from Sinhgad Road, Navale Bridge, and Warje Fire Stations rushed to the spot and managed to control the flames within 30 minutes despite the densely populated surroundings. The cause of the fire is suspected to be an electrical short circuit, and officials confirmed that no one was injured.

Three separate fire incidents were reported in Pune late on Diwali night, all suspected to have been caused by firecrackers. In Fursungi, a rocket landed on the balcony of a tenth-floor flat, igniting curtains and causing a minor fire inside the apartment. In Kharadi’s Gera Society, fireworks debris led to a large pile of garbage catching fire, while dry grass near the Hadapsar railway track also caught fire. Firefighters from the Pune Fire Brigade quickly brought all three blazes under control. No injuries or casualties were reported.

Pimpri-Chinchwad: Electric scooter blaze among 17 incidents

In Pimpri-Chinchwad, 17 fire incidents were reported within a span of just 16 hours during Diwali. The most severe occurred in Wakad, where a service centre for electric two-wheelers was gutted in the early hours of Laxmi Poojan day. Around 60 electric scooters were destroyed when a suspected battery explosion ignited a massive blaze.

The fire broke out around 2 a.m., and six fire tenders from Rahatni, Nehrunagar, and Thergaon fire stations were deployed. Firefighters had to work carefully due to the high-voltage power lines nearby and the risk of battery and gas cylinder explosions. The team used foam extinguishing techniques, essential for controlling electric vehicle fires. After nearly two hours of intense effort, the blaze was brought under control.

According to a PCMC fire officer, preliminary information suggests that the fire may have started due to a short circuit or a malfunction during charging. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Steady rise in fire cases over the years

Official records of PMC show a clear upward trend in Diwali fire incidents in Pune:

2021: 21 cases
2023: 35 cases
2024: 60 cases
2025: 65 cases (record high)

Officials attribute this rise to increased firecracker use, urban crowding, and decorative lighting without proper safety checks.

Civic appeal for safer celebrations

Both Pune and PCMC Fire Brigades have urged citizens to celebrate responsibly by avoiding fireworks near residential areas and ensuring electrical decorations are inspected for faulty wiring. The ‘Safe Diwali, Happy Diwali’ campaign, fire control helplines, and quick-response units played a crucial role in preventing any loss of life this year.

Despite the record number of calls, fire officials said the swift response of personnel and public cooperation ensured that Diwali remained incident-free in terms of human casualties, marking a testament to the city’s growing awareness of fire safety.

Even with the two-day holiday on Laxmi Poojan and Diwali Padwa, firemen remained busy controlling fires across various parts of the city.

Highest number of fire incidents during Diwali in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad: Pune 65, Pimpri-Chinchwad 17