Spurt in fire incidents reported around Diwali

G. Abraham Noel (Sem. I)


There has been a significant rise in fire-related incidents in Hyderabad. The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department reported receiving a total of 33 distress calls, with Hyderabad alone accounting for 26 of these. 

Several incidents involving firework-related accidents occurred in areas such as Yakutpura, Himayatnagar, Hayathnagar, Saroornagar, and Secunderabad. These incidents affected various locations, including shops and apartments, resulting in injuries and substantial property damage.

In addition to this, at the state-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, 48 people, including 20 children under 12, were treated for eye injuries, with eight requiring admission though no surgeries were necessary. A few minor cases had also been reported the day before Diwali. 

Dr. M Neeraja, resident medical officer at the hospital, noted that two children needed minor procedures under anaesthesia to remove foreign objects from their eyes, and confirmed that the injuries among the admitted patients were not severe.

A couple died from asphyxiation late Monday night after a fire broke out in their home while they were preparing food for the Diwali festival. According to police, the accident occurred when sparks from a gas stove ignited a box of firecrackers, causing it to burst and release smoke throughout their two-room house. The intense smoke led to the couple’s suffocation, while another family member sustained injuries in the incidents. 

These unfortunate events have turned what should be a joyful Diwali into a sad time for many families in Hyderabad. The accidents show how important it is to be careful with firecrackers and open flames during celebrations. In the future, better safety measures and awareness can help prevent such tragedies and bring safer, happier celebrations for everyone.

* * *

Scroll to Top